Artificial reefs – human-made or modified structures designed to replicate natural reef functions – are increasingly applied in habitat restoration, fisheries enhancement, coastal management, and to support sustainable recreational fishing opportunities. Historically, reefs were created from “materials of opportunity” such as tyres, debris, and decommissioned vessels; however, advances in design and material selection have improved ecological performance and reduced environmental risk.
Regulatory frameworks have evolved more slowly. In Australia, the Environment Protection (Sea Dumping) Act 1981 provides the primary approval pathway for artificial reef placement. Developed to regulate marine pollution, the Act frames reef deployment within a “dumping” context, which can present challenges when assessing projects intended for environmental benefit.
This presentation examines the evolution of artificial reefs alongside current regulatory constraints, highlighting misalignments between policy intent and contemporary applications. Drawing on examples, including the Exmouth Artificial Reef (‘King Reef’) in Western Australia, it explores the role of artificial reefs as scalable tools for restoration and habitat enhancement, and considers how marine science can inform more adaptive, transparent, and fit-for-purpose policy frameworks to improve regulatory preparedness.