Artificial Reefs
The Jetty’s submerged timber and steel piles form Australia’s longest artificial reef, creating a vibrant and diverse habitat for over 300 marine species!
Artificial reefs form naturally over time, and can become wonderfully productive ecosystems, enhancing nearby natural environments. Busselton Jetty’s environment team are responsible for sustainably managing the reef through marine monitoring programs, advice for responsible diving and snorkelling, and pile rehabilitation following essential maintenance works.
Busselton Jetty Underwater Sculpture Park
The Busselton Jetty Underwater Sculpture Park features 13 sculptures created by 12 Western Australian artists, creating additional reef habitat in the predominantly sandy seagrass meadows of Geographe Bay. Busselton Jetty staff regularly survey the sculptures to track changes in species colonisation.
To find out more about the artists, and to view above and below water photos of each sculpture, please click here.
Busselton Jetty Inc, is the approved permit holder for this project, and works with the City of Busselton, Department of Transport, Department of Biodiversity, Conservation, and Attractions, and Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development to ensure sound management, whilst maintaining the heritage and integrity of the jetty structure and surrounding marine environment. You can read more in our Environmental Management and Monitoring Plan.
Water Temperature Logging
Water temperatures have been measured under the Busselton Jetty since 2001, providing a very extensive data set going back over twenty years — it is one of the longest-running temperature monitoring programmes in Western Australia. The water temperatures are recorded hourly at about 4m depth, using self-recording temperature loggers which are accurate to ~± 0.2°C.
You can also view real-time temperature, wind, and wave data collected by satellite and our SmartBuoy system by visiting our Aqualink dashboard.
Daily Marine Life Survey
Twice daily, the Underwater Observatory Tour Guides survey marine life observed from the Underwater Observatory windows. The survey includes many species of bony and cartilaginous fishes, mobile invertebrates, mammals, and birds, many of which are endemic to Australia’s South West.
To learn more about Busselton Jetty’s biodiversity and view our local species, visit our Fish Finder page, or view our iNaturalist project page.
Australian Marine Debris Initiative
Tangaroa Blue’s Australian Marine Debris Initiative (AMDI) is an on-ground network monitoring the impacts of marine debris along Australian coastlines.
Each year the BJEF hosts several beach cleanups both above and under the water. All marine debris is categorised, counted, and submitted to the AMDI database to help inform management decisions to stop marine debris at its source.
Sign up to the newsletter, or view our events page to join our next clean up.
Marine Research Partnerships
Busselton Jetty is committed to advancing knowledge of Australia’s marine environments.
We collaborate with universities, government, and industry partners to support marine science and inform sustainable management of the Jetty and surrounding ecosystems.
Work with us
Data collected at Busselton Jetty is available for research purposes. To request data or propose a research collaboration, please email uwo@busseltonjetty.com.au.
Find out more about the marine and environmental research projects completed at the Busselton Jetty here:
