The reef consists of a massive 10 metre-high steel "fish grotto" which forms the centrepiece of the new structure. A total of 32 concrete modules, each standing 5 metres tall, will surround the "fish grotto".

This new reef - which joins other reefs already deployed at Sydney, the Shoalhaven, Port Macquarie, southern Sydney, Merimbula, Newcastle and Wollongong - is designed to increase fishing opportunities for recreational fishers.

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The Tweed artificial reef weighs in at 834 tonnes and has been carefully designed to provide generations of local and visiting anglers with enhanced opportunities to target a range of key species including snapper, mackerel, cobia, pearl perch and mulloway.

Given the reef's location in sub-tropical Tweed Heads, NSW DPI says it will likely also attract seasonal visitation from northern species including mangrove jack, big eye trevally and various emperors.

Artificial reefs are utilised world-wide to enhance fishing opportunities, by creating additional habitat for local aquatic organisms and fish.

The NSW DPI artificial reef program is building offshore reefs to enhance recreational fishing.

We use innovative and state of the art reef designs to deflect currents to create eddies and upwelling's to provide intricate habitats for a variety of fish species.

NSW DPI conducts a rigorous assessment of the proposed reef locations through a comprehensive environmental assessment (EA).

These assessments include ecological, biological and socioeconomic impacts such as baseline studies of proposed reef sites, cultural and heritage, community and stakeholder consultation, bathymetric swath mapping, leasing arrangements with state and commonwealth jurisdictions.

NSW DPI also manages an open procurement process for the design, fabrication, assembly, transport and deployment of each artificial reef via an open and transparent tender process.

The project is funded by NSW recreational angler licence fees.