Local marine services company In-Depth Innovations are pioneering the development of a new sustainable artificial reef system integrated with artificial intelligence to enhance fish stocks.

The circular economy inspired BioReef™ modules have been developed in collaboration with local companies, HB Group and Aboriginal Sea Company. Surplus construction grade concrete and oyster shells were upcycled into specialised artificial reef modules – designed to enhance fish stocks and support the local fishing and tourism industries. In-Depth will undertake a two-year in situ trial in Darwin Harbour to assess how the prototype “BioReefs” perform. Data will be collected via subsea sensors and analysed using AI to inform the development of optimised designs and materials.
The trial is supported by a grant from the NT Governments Business Innovation Program, with an aim to develop a scalable marine habitat enhancement system that can be used to support the productivity of highly valued recreational and commercial fishing species.
Key features of the BioReef™ system include:
 Sustainable and scalable circular manufacturing process diverting materials from land fil and extending their value as ecological assets.
 AI integrated with subsea sensors to verify ecological performance.
 Low carbon footprint. 95% less carbon emissions than similar engineered reefs by using upcycled materials.
 Highly productive nature-based designs developed specifically for local reef fish species such as golden snapper, black jewfish and coral trout.
 The unique biomimetic designs were optimised using expertise from divers, fishers and marine scientists to optimise productivity.
 The incorporation of recycled oyster shells as a natural substrate enhances biodiversity and benthic colonisation rates.
 Engineered and certified for subsea stability in cyclonic conditions and a 100+ year lifespan.
Quote from Tynan Bartolo – Founder, In-Depth Innovations “The BioReef™ presents an exciting prospect to leverage cutting edge technology with circular economy principles to enhance marine productivity at scale”
Quote from Damien Collis – General Manager, HB Group “At HB Group we pride ourselves on our approach to sustainability. By upcycling our surplus concrete into artificial reefs, we can reduce our environmental footprint and help support
the Territoy’s favourite pastime fishing”
Quote from Calvin Deveraux – Chair, Aboriginal Sea Company “Repurposing our oyster shells from the Darwin Fish Market instead of sending them to landfill makes sense. We’re putting them back into the environment to support marine life
and keep ecosystems in balance. It’s a simple process whereby we care for sea country and sea country looks after us.”
Quote: Warren de With – AFANT President (Amateur Fishermen’s Association of the NT Inc.) “AFANT congratulate InDepth Innovations for their innovative work in developing the BioReef trial reef modules. Supporting habitat restoration, particularly habitat for at risk species such as Golden Snapper is vitally important right now. We also recognise the NT
Governments support of this trial project with their commitment to ensuring sustainable levels of Golden Snapper and expanding productive fish habitats. AFANT look forward to following the progress of the new BioReef artificial reefs and working to improve fishing experiences in the NT.”