Ship In The Bay for Sunday Sinking

The old tuna fishing vessel, the Tiwi Pearl, is in position in Moreton Bay ahead of its sinking on Sunday.

Climate Change and Sustainability Minister Kate Jones said boaties would be welcome to view the sinking provided that they observed a 250 metre radius exclusion zone.

The Tiwi Pearl is scheduled to be sunk around 9am on Sunday (March 14).

"The Tiwi Pearl is moored at its sinking position east of St Helena Island, 18 kilometres offshore from Manly," Ms Jones said.

"She'll be sunk by flooding rather than explosives.

"She's been partially filled up with concrete and on Sunday morning, several valves in the hull will be released, causing the scuttling of the ship.

"It should be quite a sight and I would welcome the public to come and have a look."

Ms Jones said the 24-metre, 96-tonne ship would form a major extension to Harry Atkinson Reef.

"We purchased the Tiwi Pearl as part of the Bligh Government's $2 million election commitment to build six new artificial reefs in Moreton Bay," she said.

"The ship will become the centrepiece of Harry Atkinson Reef and help attract many more bait fish, small tuna and mackerel than current numbers.

"The artificial reefs are a proven way of attracting fish and there's no better spot than Harry Atkinson to sink this old timer and increase fishing opportunities in the fishing zones," she said

The approximate coordinates of where the Tiwi Pearl will be sunk is 27° 24.505' S and 153° 18.510'E (GDA 94).