Inlet Deployments Now Complete
Victoria’s Fish Aggregation Devices (FADs) are officially back in the water, marking the start of another exciting season for recreational fishers along the Surf Coast. Over the past couple of months, our science team has been busy offshore to reinstall and deploy FADs off Torquay, Lorne and Aireys Inlet— bringing the full network online for summer.
Torquay FADs Reinstalled on a Thriving Reef
The four Torquay FADs have been successfully re-attached to the Offshore Artificial Reef, located around two nautical miles east–southeast of Torquay in 28 metres of water.
During the installation, divers were met with an impressive display of marine life thriving across the 25 concrete reef modules. Soft bryozoans, golden kelp, gorgonian fans, sea
squirts and colourful sponges now blanket the structures, while barber perch, boarfish, magpie perch, leatherjackets and wrasse were seen weaving through the habitat.
Early reports of kingfish in the area suggest it’s a great time for anglers to head out and take advantage of the productive conditions. The Torquay FADs are marked by large yellow
buoys equipped with navigation lights and GPS trackers, and will remain in place until late May before retrieval ahead of the whale migration season and winter swells.
Torquay FAD Coordinates:
FAD 1 — 38° 19.915’ S, 144° 22.513’ E
FAD 2 — 38° 19.922’ S, 144° 22.450’ E
FAD 3 — 38° 19.996’ S, 144° 22.379’ E
FAD 4 — 38° 20.054’ S, 144° 22.357’ E
FADs 6 & 7 Deployed Off Lorne and Aireys Inlet
Similarly, FAD 6 and FAD 7 have now been deployed off Lorne and Aireys Inlet! These floating buoys extend vertical structure deep into the water column, creating ideal conditions
to attract pelagic species prized by recreational fishers such as yellowtail kingfish.
FAD 6 has been positioned approximately three nautical miles east of Lorne in 32 metres of water, while FAD 7 sits the same distance southeast of Aireys Inlet in 42 metres. Both
locations were selected by the local angling club in consultation with the VFA.
Past seasons have produced kingfish and tuna around these devices, and we’re looking forward to seeing what fishers encounter this summer.
Lorne & Aireys Inlet FAD Coordinates:
FAD 6 — 38° 32.519’ S, 144° 02.150’ E
FAD 7 — 38° 29.428’ S, 144° 09.876’ E
As with all Victorian FADs, these units are fitted with GPS trackers and will be retrieved in May 2026 ahead of whale migration and increased winter swell activity.
