Apr 102014
 

News release from Pensoft Publishers

Hidden in one of Australia’s most developed and fastest growing areas lives one of the world’s smallest freshwater crayfish species.

The eastern swamp crayfish Gramastacus lacus sp. n.  a new species of freshwater crayfish from coastal New South Wales, Australia.

The eastern swamp crayfish Gramastacus lacus sp. n. a new species of freshwater crayfish from coastal New South Wales, Australia.

Robert B. McCormack the Team Leader for the Australian Crayfish Project described the new species belonging to the genus Gramastacus, after 8 years of research in the swamps and creeks of coastal New South Wales, Australia. The study was published in the open access journal ZooKeys.

Being a small crayfish species it has remained undescribed and undiscovered in one of the fastest developing regions of Australia. Only one other species of Gramastacus crayfish is known and it occurs some 900 km away in the Grampians region of Victoria.

This new species is found in lowland ephemeral habitats surrounding coastal lakes and lagoons from Wamberal Lagoon, north along the coastal strip to Wallis Lake. Being dependent on regular natural flooding and drying cycles, only lowland, swampy areas are suitable for this tiny crayfish.

Each crayfish digs a small rounded cross-section burrow up to one metre deep into the water table to survive the drying cycle. Some areas are riddled with these small burrows as they are a very prolific species and can occur in very high numbers in small habitat areas.

The newly described crayfish are found in one of Australia’s most developed regions. Unfortunately, this means that much of their habitat has been lost in the past as these ephemeral areas are the first to be drained or reclaimed to make way for agriculture, industry, housing developments, golf courses, infrastructure, etc. Now, being found and officially described, this crayfish must be considered in any further developments and hopefully future habitat loss will be reduced.

The scattered populations of Gramastacus seem highly fragmented and many are increasingly threatened by a range of risks other than human development. Invasive crayfish, pest fish species like plague minnows and swordtails, rising sea levels and falling water tables all are increasing dangers. Luckily, the large number of National Parks and Reserves along the coastal strip provides safe refuges for some populations.

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About the Australian Crayfish Project

Started in 2005 The Australian Crayfish Project (ACP) is a privately funded project run entirely by volunteers with a thirst for knowledge on freshwater crayfish. We all freely give our time and resources to support the project. Australia has one of the most diverse ranges of freshwater crayfish species on the planet yet there is much confusion with the description and distribution of species and many species remain undiscovered & undescribed. The project is discovering dozens of new species or new populations that were never known to exist. Our aim is to find and identify all species of freshwater crayfish and their habitat, the bottom line is that if no one knows these species are there and they don’t even have a name then how can they be protected and conserved into the future? The results of this project will ensure that all management agencies take the crayfish and their habitat into consideration for future environmental, conservation, development and catchment management plans, etc.

Australia’s unique crayfish are important keystone species which have a disproportionately large effect on the whole catchment relative to their abundance. They play a critical role in maintaining the structure of the whole ecological community, their prosperity and abundance directly affecting the health and abundance of numerous other species (macroinvertebrates, fish, eels, turtles, lizards, snakes, water rats, platypus and birds, to name just a few) in the ecosystem. Please help us help the crayfish and all the other species that rely on them for their survival. http://www.aabio.com.au/the-australian-crayfish-project/

The Australian Crayfish Project (ACP).

Additional Information

Article under conservation and research Australian Aquatic Biological.

For a full list of all Australian Freshwater Crayfish: http://www.aabio.com.au/crayfish-list/

Original source

McCormack RB (2014) The eastern swamp crayfish Gramastacus lacus sp. n. (Decapoda, Parastacidae) a new species of freshwater crayfish from coastal New South Wales, Australia. ZooKeys 398: 53–67. doi: 10.3897/zookeys.398.7544

Apr 052014
 

By Greg Wallis (pseudechis) at YouTube

Barramundi Creek is a major tributary of the South Alligator River in Kakadu National Park. Where it flows off the rocky Arnhem Land escarpment into Barramundi Gorge it is home to a wide variety of freshwater fishes and is an important refuge area for them and other wildlife during the Dry Season months.

The video follows a walk from the carpark up to the plunge pool and explores some of the underwater habitats and their occupants along the way. There are several points where you can stop and watch fish and take in the beautiful surrounds.

Maguk is far more than just a waterfall and a nice place to swim; take some time to soak up the atmosphere, bird calls and the other local wildlife.

If you are swimming please remember this is home to all these animals so go easy on the suncream and insect repellants — better still, swim with a shirt on rather then use suncream. Crocodiles do frequent the area, and National Parks have a policy or removing Saltwater or Estuarine Crocodiles from here and nearby areas but there is no 100% guarantee — you always swim at your own risk. Freshwater or Johnstone River Crocodiles make their home in the area and are best not approached too closely.

The creek is spring fed up in the rocky escarpment and runs throughout the year — from raging floodwaters in the Wet Season months down to a light shower in the late Dry. The area is only accessible to vehicle based tourists during the Dry Season months and it’s always best to check with National Park Headquarters to see if the area is open before you visit.

The video shows a variety of fish that are commonly seen at the gorge, but it is far from being comprehensive.

Please note: Fishing is NOT allowed in this area or in most areas east of the Kakadu Highway (with a couple of exceptions). Because these waters remain throughout the year, they are a very important refuge for many species of fish. Many stick it out here during the Dry only to move downstream to breed on the floodplains during the Wet Season and then back to the refuges again for the Dry. There are plenty of places you can fish much further downstream in the big tidal rivers and floodplain billabongs.

www.gregwallis.com

Mar 272014
 

By Greg Wallis (pseudechis) at YouTube

These Spotted Galaxias were filmed at Waratah Bay in Cape Liptrap Coastal Park. The Common Jollytail or Common Galaxias (Galaxias maculatus) can also be seen briefly at several points in the video; eg (00:48 in the background) and at 01:40 where one darts across the screen twice

For more information on Spotted Galaxias see:
http://www.fishesofaustralia.net.au/h…

CAAB Taxon Code: 37102010

www.gregwallis.com

Mar 212014
 

Original story by Virginia Tapp, ABC Rural

An introduced fish species has been discovered in what was previously one of the country’s last remaining pest-free river systems.
Plague Minnow (Gambusia holbrooki), also known as the Mosquito fish.

Plague Minnow (Gambusia holbrooki), also known as the Mosquito fish.

Fish ecologists Alf Hogan and Terry Vallance made the discovery while surveying the Leichardt river in north-west Queensland.

They believe the Plague Minnow (Gambusia holbrooki) could have devastating impacts on native fish populations.

Sketch of a female Plague minnow fish. Image: Southern Gulf Catchments

Sketch of a female Plague minnow fish. Image: Southern Gulf Catchments

The species was originally introduced from America to control the mosquito population and already exists in plague proportions on Queensland’s east coast.

They have spread through the Leichhardt River system, which has a catchment area of approximately 33,000 square kilometres, and there is little hope for eradication.

Local environment worker Mick Brady says the Plague Minnow will attack larger, native species.

“Any pest animal or plant or weed species can be a problem, just because they outcompete native animals for food and habitat.

“This particular fish is really aggressive. They say they bite the fins of natives, they can eat the eggs of native fish, and it upsets the whole ecology of the area.”

It is believed the fish were deliberately released into the Leichardt River.

Any sightings of non-native fish species should be reported immediately to the 24-hour Fishwatch hotline 1800 017 116.

Mar 192014
 

Original story by Ben Chenoweth, the Wollondilly Advertiser

ANDREW Bodlovich’s kitchen may not “rule” but his barramundi and herb farm operation is certainly proving successful.
Herb farmer's insights: Andrew Bodlovich at his Cobbitty herb and barramundi farm. Photo: Jonathan Ng

Aquaponic herb farmer’s insights: Andrew Bodlovich at his Cobbitty herb and barramundi farm. Photo: Jonathan Ng

The 50-year-old Cobbitty farmer was chosen — as one of 34 farmers who supply Coles supermarkets — to have a brief guest appearance on Channel Seven’s reality show My Kitchen Rules.

Mr Bodlovich said his inclusion in the show, due to air on March 24, was to give the contestants and viewers an insight of where the produce originated.

“I think it’s really important for people to see beyond the cooking challenge,” he said.

“It’s a cooking show but they also want to showcase where the food comes from.”

It will be the second time the local farmer has graced Australian television screens.

His first appearance was on the ABC’s New Inventors program, where he and a fellow inventor demonstrated their combined herb farming and barramundi technique.

Mr Bodlovich said the system was designed so both fauna and fish benefited from the other.

“It’s all inside a high-tech glasshouse,” he said. “The vegetables are on a conveyor belt and below are the fish in tanks. The fish produce the nutrients and it turns into plant food. The fish feed the plants [which] keep the water clean.”

Mar 192014
 

Original story by Genevieve Hayward, Pine Rivers Press

A north Brisbane fish stocking group says its financial future may at risk if boat permits are scrapped.

Pine Rivers Fish Management Association (PRFMA) says it will face a sharp drop in funding if a report due next month ends the scheme.

Barry Tucker, from the Pine Rivers Fish Management Association, about to release Australian bass in to Lake Samsonvale. Source: News Limited

Barry Tucker, from the Pine Rivers Fish Management Association, about to release Australian bass in to Lake Samsonvale. Source: News Limited

Such a move would leave the association without the bulk of the $30,000 it needs each year to restock lakes Samsonvale and Kurwongbah.

“It (the review) could be the death of the Boating Access Scheme and see funds for stocking dry up,” said PRFMA treasurer Barry Tucker.

“The fish are very important for the environment of the lake. They control predator fish, they control excess weeds and water quality improves when a lake is well stocked with fish.”

Mr Tucker also said the quality of fishing may decline.

An Seqwater spokeswoman said a consistent permit scheme across all lakes was being considered as part of the recreational review of lakes Samsonvale and Kurwongbah.

It would also be unlikely for PRFMA to see any funds from a new permit scheme, said the spokeswoman.

Moreton Bay Regional Council has provided $7000 annually for fish stocking over the past four years and the association receives funding through the Stock Impoundment Permit Scheme (SIPS), which requires people to buy a permit to fish Lake Samsonvale, but funding from these alone will not be enough to cover costs.

“Seqwater say if the lakes are opened up there will be more people using the SIPs permit. That will offset the loss a little but we might not be able to maintain current stocking levels,” Mr Tucker said.

The association recently celebrated 21 years since their first meeting on March 11, 1993 and in that time has stocked lakes Samsonvale and Kurwongbah with more than two million native fish.

These are also integral to controlling numbers of destructive introduced species, mosquito populations and water quality.

The lakes require continuous restocking as the native Australian Bass and Golden Perch released cannot breed in an enclosed environment, needing brackish water and running, shallow water respectively to lay their eggs.

Mar 192014
 

Original story at the Daily Liberal

FOUR men have been issued thousands of dollars in fines after pleading guilty to illegally targeting native inland species in the Macquarie River in 2012.

Qld Boating and Fisheries PatrolThe four men, from Gunnedah, have each been fined $2500 in addition to $600 in court costs for using illegal fishing methods to target native inland species, including using excess hand-held lines, prohibited baits and possessing a number of prohibited fishing items.

The charges stem back to February 2012, where fisheries officers caught the men while conducting patrols of the Macquarie River near Warren.

Officers apprehended the men, aged 20 to 29, and seized 90 rigged handlines, 11 drift lines, a monofilament cast net, seven prohibited traps and 23 live carp.

Two of the men also pleaded guilty to not paying the recreational fishing fee.

Department of Primary Industries fisheries supervisor Jason Baldwin said the conviction sends a clear message about the use of illegal and excessive fishing gear, for those who choose to flout the law.

“It is against the law to set and leave hand lines unattended, fishers must be within 50 metres and within line of sight of their fishing lines,” Mr Baldwin said.

“Fishers must know the rules and pay the recreational fishing fee before you hit the water or pay the price.”

To report illegal fishing in New South Wales, visit your nearest fisheries office, report online at www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/fisheries/compliance/report-illegal-activity or call the Fishers Watch Phoneline in 1800 043 536.

To report unlawful fishing in Queensland, call the 24-hour Fishwatch hotline on 1800 017 116 (toll free within Queensland) or visit http://www.daff.qld.gov.au/fisheries/services/illegal-fishing-activities.

Mar 182014
 

Original story at ABC Darwin

New research is revealing how North Australian rivers support more fish than would seem possible. Surgically implanted tracking devices are showing how barramundi make ends meet.
Northern Australia has big fish and lots of them...

Northern Australia has big fish and lots of them…

Charles Darwin University’s Associate Professor David Crook, has perfected the art of surgically implanting fish with small radio tracking devices.

“You just make a little incision with a scalpel and pop the tag in and stitch it up, and the fish is back in the water in a minute or two,” he says.

In this way, 40 barramundi and 30 fork-tail catfish were equipped with radio transmitters. The electronic addition to the fish allowed scientists to keep track of their movements.

But it’s not about helping the fishing obsessed find their next catch; the researchers are trying to solve a much bigger riddle.

Associate Professor David Crook surgically implants a radio tracking device into a barramundi while research assistant Duncan Buckle records data.

Associate Professor David Crook surgically implants a radio tracking device into a barramundi while research assistant Duncan Buckle records data.

Fish mystery

Australia’s tropical waterways are famous for being some of the best places in the world to go fishing. What looks like a small, muddy creek, can be teeming with fish. And up North, it’s not just tiddlers; barramundi and threadfin salmon regularly grow over a metre long, while river sharks and sawfish are even bigger.

When scientists took a look at our tropical rivers, the huge numbers of big fish just didn’t quite add up.

“It seems like there’s not enough energy just in the main channel to support the productivity of the fisheries that we have,” says Professor Crook.

Lurking somewhere in the South Alligator river is this magnificent 137cm Barramundi!

Lurking somewhere in the South Alligator river is this magnificent 137cm Barramundi!

But as any fisherman will confirm, knowing what the fish get up to below the surface can be very hard to figure out. So Professor Crook turned to surgically implanted radio trackers to try and understand how rivers in the north can be home to such a wealth of fish.

Secret revealed

At first the trackers showed the barramundi weren’t doing very much at all; they didn’t move very far from where they were released. But with the first rains of the wet season, the barramundi were transformed.

“Pretty much immediately the fish moved straight out onto the floodplains within a day or two of the water coming up on the floodplain,” says Professor Crook.

The barramundi became highly active and researchers had to adjust their equipment to keep up.

“We have to use a helicopter to find the fish because they are moving around so much,” Professor Crook says.

The tracking devices showed that the wet season allowed barramundi and fork-tailed catfish to take advantage of a large part of the northern landscape. Professor Crook’s stand-out performer regularly led him between the river and the floodplain over the wet season.

“That fish has probably been making movements in the order of hundreds of kilometres over that period,” he says.

Feeding far and wide

What appears to be a small river or creek loaded with fish in the dry season, is really more of a holding pond for fish who make their best living far and wide in wet season flood waters.

“Without the connectivity between the estuary and the floodplain there’s no way our rivers could support as many barramundi and other fish as they do,” says Professor Crook.

The research has shown scientists that a barramundi is not just a product of the billabong or river where it may end up on the end of a fisherman’s line.

“At least 35 per cent of the energy in the flesh of a barramundi actually comes from the floodplains,” Professor Crook says.

The work proves what many have suspected; that wet season flooding drives the health and productivity of tropical rivers and estuaries. Professor Crook says the knowledge will help inform the future management of water in Northern Australia.

“That’s what we’re really trying to understand; what sort of processes do we need to keep in place to make sure we continue to have productive fisheries in the future?”

Mar 142014
 

Original story by Ross Kay, ABC Wide Bay

As the muddy waters of the mighty Mary flow past the town of Tiaro, in the cool of the night a Mary River turtle comes ashore to lay a clutch of eggs.

At the same time computer screens shine blue in the night, as people from across the world click and donate to protect future generations of the turtle make sure the turtle’s eggs hatch safely.

A wild Mary River turtle (Elusor macrurus) hatchling. Photo: Tiaro Landcare

A wild Mary River turtle (Elusor macrurus) hatchling. Photo: Tiaro Landcare

The eggs face challenges before they even hatch, predators like goannas and foxes are on the lookout for a quick snack, and cattle can mistakenly stomp on the nest on their way for a drink.

A group of dedicated volunteers at Tiaro Landcare are working to fence and protect the eggs so they can hatch safely, and thanks to a new crowd-funding campaign can continue to keep protecting the eggs of this endangered species.

“Wildlife Queensland obviously is very keen on protecting our endangered wildlife, and we’ve changed our fundraising strategies in recent times,” said Des Boyland, policies and campaigns manager for the Wildlife Preservation Society of Queensland.

“What we’re doing instead of going on a general appeal to raise funds… we are actually focusing on certain endangered or threatened species.

“Our next focus is the Mary River turtle; we chose it because of the good work that Tiaro Landcare people have been doing already.

“Tiaro Landcare people have got it down to a fine art so we’re partnering with them, and handing the money over to them so they can go out and protect nests.”

The Mary River turtle project has been in operation since 2001, and Marilyn Connell, the project leader, says the ultimate goal is rebuilding the population.

“We have a conservation program where some of our members go out during the nesting season and protect wild-laid clutches of eggs,” she said.

“We protect them from predators, we do some fox baiting, we do some fencing to try and keep cattle and other creatures off the nesting banks.

“Our goal is to protect it so that we can increase the number of turtles and hatchlings that are successfully getting into the river.

“You’ve got to look for tracks and signs on the riverbank and follow your nose really. And you’ve got to do it early before the goannas or other critters get there before you, so we’ve got to get up quite early in the morning.”

The turtle eggs are about 35mm long and 21 mm wide, with the average clutch holding on average about 15 eggs.

Marilyn says the actual numbers of the turtle is difficult to calculate due to the nature of the Mary River itself.

“Looking for creatures in the river isn’t as easy as it seems, it’s the muddy Mary,” she said.

“What we do know is the number of nesting females over the time we’ve been working are staying about the same. Obviously there are variations according to weather conditions, but we’re not noticing a massive decline.”

The goal in the crowd-funding project is to raise $30,000, and Wildlife Queensland is hoping this will be a sustainable model for fundraising in the future.

“We’ll be endeavouring to run four appeals a year,” Des said.

“The big advantage of using the crowd funding, although we’ve got something like five and a half thousand supporters, a lot of the contributions come from people outside our traditional supporter base.”

As for Marilyn and the Tiaro Landcare team, they will continue working to keep this endangered species from extinction.

“Fingers crossed the campaign works really well,” Marilyn said.