April Field Trip: Southern Gold Coast

 Australian native freshwater species, Club News, Field Trips
Mar 142014
 

Date: Sunday 13 April 2014

Expected Species:

Australian Smelt, Retropinna semoni

Australian Smelt, Retropinna semoni

  • Rhadinocentrus ornatus (Ornate Rainbowfish)
  • Melanotaenia duboulayi (Crimson Spotted Rainbowfish)
  • Pseudomugil signifer (Pacific Blue-eyes)
  • Retropinna semoni (Smelt)
  • Hypseleotris galii (Firetail Gudgeon
  • Gobiomorphus australis (Striped Gudgeon)
  • Gambusia holbrooki (Mosquito Fish or Plague Minnows)
  • Eels
  • Australatya Striolata (Riffle Shrimp)

[s2If !current_user_can(access_s2member_level1)]

Field trip details are restricted to ANGFA Qld members.

[/s2If][s2If !current_user_can(access_s2member_level1) && is_user_logged_in()]

If you are a member please contact us so we can fix your account.

[/s2If][s2If !is_user_logged_in()]

Click here to log in or register.

[/s2If][s2If current_user_can(access_s2member_level1)]

Meeting Location:

Hungry Jacks Tugun. The Hungry Jacks and Shell Service Station complex is located on the western side of the Gold Coast Highway between Karana St and Tooloona St. Heading south along the Pacific Motorway you need to take the Currumbin exit (see signs to Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary). Head east towards the beach.

At the Gold Coast highway turn right, then conduct a U-Turn at the next set of lights (you will then be heading north towards Brisbane). Hungry Jacks will be on your immediate left and we’ll be facing in the right direction for the field trip. Coordinates for Hungry Jacks Tugun are:

Lat: 28° 8.634’S, Long: 153° 29.609’E

Gregory’s UBD Street Directory 2013 – Gold Coast Map 71, Reference F10

Departure Time:

8.30am. This is the time we will leave the meeting point.

Program:

This program is tentative only and may change due to weather and water levels

  • 0830 – 0900: Travel to first fishing location.
  • 0900 – 1000: Fish first location (Currumbin Ck)
  • 1000 – 1030: Travel to second fishing location.
  • 1030 – 1130: Fish second location (Tallebudgera Ck)
  • 1130 – 1145: Travel to third fishing location.
  • 1145 – 1245: Fish third location (Tallebudgera Ck)
  • 1245 – 1300: Travel to lunch location
  • 1300 – 1400: Lunch at local Café

CHECK THE ANGFA FORUM THE FRIDAY OR SATURDAY BEFORE THE TRIP TO CONFIRM THAT IT’S STILL ON

What to Bring:

Wading boots or waders, dip nets, folding bait traps, bait or burley for the traps, buckets (with lids), a field tank for photography, an esky or styrofoam box to hold the fish in, plastic bags for the fish, rubber bands, non- iodised salt (cooking salt, rock salt, etc), drinking water, sunscreen and insect repellent (expect sand flies), fish and plant identification books, goggles and snorkel, and water test kits if you have them (hardness, total hardness, pH, dissolved oxygen, salinity, etc).

Remember:

We are a conservation society and expect to take due care of the locations and wild populations we collect from and the fish we collect. Take only as much as you need to display or breed. It is illegal to sell fish from the wild without a licence.

An important part of each field trip is to survey and record the water conditions and what we find, and any assistance with this task will be appreciated.

Size and bag limits and equipment regulations apply when fishing in fresh water in QLD. You can find the QLD bag and size limits here: http://www.dpi.qld.gov.au/28_2994.htm You can find the QLD fishing equipment regulations here: http://www.dpi.qld.gov.au/28_3023.htm

Nomination:

To nominate for the field trip please contact the Field Trip Coordinator: Leo O’Reilly, Mob: 0438 733 789, Email: oreilly1@bluemaxx.com.au

If you have nominated for the trip you will be provided with maps and directions at the meeting point.[/s2If]

Push to move threatened outback fish into captivity

 Australian native freshwater species, pest species, research, threatened species, waterways/wetlands, wildlife
Mar 132014
 

ABC NewsOriginal story by  Chrissy Arthur and Ash Moore, ABC News

Bush Heritage Australia says it is hoping recent flooding in an inland river system will help an endangered fish species.

Scaturiginichthys vermeilipinnis. Photo: © Gunther Schmida

Scaturiginichthys vermeilipinnis. Photo: © Gunther Schmida

Aquatic ecologist Adam Kerezy has been working for years to save the tiny red-finned blue-eye fish [Scaturiginichthys vermeilipinnis] from extinction.

It is only found in natural springs in central western Queensland.

Adam Kereszy at Edgbaston. Photo: Tim Bauer

Adam Kereszy at Edgbaston. Photo: Tim Bauer

Dr Kerezy says it is also seeking permission to move some of the remaining fish into captivity.

“So they only get to about three centimetres long, they only live in that particular group of springs north-east of Aramac,” he said.

“The crucial thing is we have got an invasive species called gambusia, or mosquito fish or bore drain fish, and they are out there too and so my job over the last six years has been basically to try and stop them [red-finned blue-eye fish] from going extinct.

“Hopefully they will be breeding up a bit, some of them will be trying to move to new springs.

“Hopefully this year we will move some into captivity and then cross fingers and toes and everything we have got and hope that they survive but for a fish that has adapted to living in these tiny shallow springs in the middle of nowhere, it might take a little bit of work to get them to adapt to captive conditions.”

Identifying species at risk from climate change

 Australian native freshwater species, environment, research, waterways/wetlands
Mar 102014
 

Original story compiled by Kev Warburton, Freshwater Research News

Which aquatic species are the most vulnerable to the impacts of climate change? In theory, traits such as physiological tolerance, life history attributes, dispersal abilities and dietary and habitat requirements could be useful indicators of the vulnerability of a species to climate warming, but this possibility needs to be tested for different types of organisms. One such analysis focussed on the freshwater fish of the Murray-Darling river system in Australia, and drew on monitoring data for 39 species, plus data on 14 biological traits for the same species compiled from the literature. Of those traits, 11 showed a significant relationship with changes in species abundance observed in 2004-2010 during a period of extended drought. Trait-based rankings of drought vulnerability also agreed well with species vulnerability assessments from previous studies. The most vulnerable fish species had relatively low heat tolerance and low minimum spawning temperatures. They tended to be small-bodied species (e.g. galaxiids, pygmy perches) that feed on invertebrates, which suggested that omnivores that consume more detritus and plant material have more success in finding food during drought. Vulnerable species also tended to mature early and have a short life-span, an extended spawning season and low fecundity. These are normally considered to be “opportunistic” features typical of species adapted to unpredictable environments, but it seems that that this type of opportunism doesn’t extend to coping with long, multi-year droughts. In prolonged droughts, larger species with delayed maturation are better equipped to survive and breed later. Vulnerability rankings based on a range of traits can help to identify species at risk and prioritise conservation actions.

Reference: Chessman, B. 2013. Identifying species at risk from climate change: traits predict the drought vulnerability of freshwater fishes. Biological Conservation 160, 40–49.

http://www.parcc-web.org/parcc-project/documents/2013/02/identifying-species-at-risk-from-climate-change-traits-predict-the-drought-vulnerability-of-freshwater-fishes.pdf

Fighting on to save lake

 Australian native freshwater species, community, fisheries, government, waterways/wetlands, wildlife
Mar 062014
 

Original story by Gregor Heard, Stock and Land

Key points

  • Fishermen and local residents unite
  • Push for emergency allocation of water to save fish stocks
  • Government at this stage unlikely to approve request
  • Local water authority says running channel to Toolondo not an option

FISHING enthusiasts, together with the local community are fighting hard to save fish stocks in Lake Toolondo in the south-west Wimmera.

“Rocklands is full of carp and does not support the same ecology you get at Toolondo.” Trevor Holmes.

A group has been formed with two goals, in the long-term to shore up the future of the lake, described as the most important trout fishery in mainland Australia, and in the short-term to get an emergency allocation of 5000 megalitres of water to stop fish from dying.

One of the spokesmen for the group, Trevor Holmes, said the immediate challenge was to save trout stocks within the lake.

“The lake was restocked in 2011, and it seems silly to make that investment and then just let the fish die, when they can easily be saved with a relatively small amount of water.”

In the longer term, Mr Holmes said he wanted to see a minimum level retained in Toolondo where possible.

“It is a storage and does not evaporate quickly, so by putting in water you are not jeopardising the region’s water security.”

Mr Holmes said Toolondo had a much more significant eco-system than Rocklands, which is the region’s major storage.

“Rocklands is full of carp and does not support the same ecology you get at Toolondo.”

He said Toolondo was not only important for sporting fish but had healthy populations of native fish, eastern long necked turtles, yabbies and water-based birds and insects.

The group is lobbying Victorian Minister for Water Peter Walsh on the matter.

A petition on online petition platform www.change.org has over 1300 signatories and a Facebook group has over 1100 members.

However, thus far there has been little progress.

Minister Walsh said decisions for Toolondo’s management were made by the local water authority, Grampians Wimmera Mallee (GWM) Water.

“While the Victorian Government recognises Lake Toolondo has been providing some great fishing opportunities for recreational fishers, it is vital that the Wimmera-Mallee system is managed responsibly and as a whole,” Mr Walsh said.

“The stock and domestic supply of local landholders could be jeopardised if more water is transferred into Lake Toolondo for recreational fishing, given the current levels of Rocklands Reservoir.

“While in the past few years flooding rains have allowed for transfers from Rocklands Reservoir into Lake Toolondo, it would be irresponsible to transfer water under current conditions.”

GWM Water spokesman Andrew Rose said the short-term allocation of water would not be a prudent move.

“The water losses in running water up the open channel from Rocklands to Toolondo would be massive.”

He also said Toolondo was not a preferred storage, not because of evaporation issues as in other GWM storages popular for recreation usage, such as Lake Lonsdale near Stawell, but because of topography.

“It’s true we can get water out of Toolondo, but when it gets to a certain level we need to pump it out, which obviously will increase costs.”

Mr Holmes disputed the water security argument.

“On our calculations, based on current water levels, running the 5000mL up to Toolondo would only drop Rocklands by 3cm.”

President of the Horsham Fly Fishers and Trout Anglers Club Gary Marlow said having lived through the Millennium Drought, which crippled the Wimmera from 1997 to 2007, he understood the importance of water security.

However, he said transferring water to Toolondo was not a risk at current storage levels.

“We understand if there is just no water about then it couldn’t be done, but we believe this lake has significance from an environmental, economic and recreational perspective and should be maintained.”

Both Mr Marlow and Mr Holmes questioned water management practices, such as summer environmental flows down the Wimmera and Glenelg Rivers.

“If we are trying to mimic the natural catchment patterns, then I don’t think you would have seen water running during our dry summers,” Mr Holmes said.

He said he realised the difficulties in getting the group’s requests through given the current water management framework.

“Longer-term, we’re certainly going to be working to get a more common sense approach to managing water resources.

“I know everyone wants their own lake filled, but in the case of Toolondo, there is a really strong argument, this lake has a massive reputation among the fishing community as a showcase trout fishery and we believe it can be filled without impacting on water security throughout GWM’s area.

Leg hairs hold secret to walking on water

 Australian native freshwater species, Interest, research
Mar 052014
 

Original story by Bianca Nogrady, ABC Science

The hairy legs of water striders are artfully designed to strike a balance between the water capillary action and gravity, Chinese researchers have discovered.
Spacing of the water striders' leg hairs are optimised so they are close enough not to penetrate the water's surface during impact Photo: Tim Vickers/Wikimedia Commons

Spacing of the water striders’ leg hairs are optimised so they are close enough not to penetrate the water’s surface during impact Photo: Tim Vickers/Wikimedia Commons

They found the spacing of the insect’s leg hairs fits a formula that takes into account the contact angle of the hairs and fluid mechanics to ensure maximum load-carrying capacity and floating stability.

The results, reported today in Proceedings of the Royal Society A not only provide an insight into the remarkable ability of these insects, but has implications for the design of miniature rafts and water strider-inspired robots that can float stably and move easily across water.

Nature abounds with examples of water-repelling surfaces such as the lotus leaf and insects’ wings that have already inspired a number of technological advances.

“Many researchers have tried to understand how the hairy structures render legs or wings of some insects water repellent from the point of view of surface physics and chemistry,” says Associate Professor Huiling Duan, from the Department of Mechanics and Aerospace Engineering at Peking University.

Previous research had suggested these hairy surfaces were superhydrophobic, hence their ability to repel water.

“In fact, water repellency of hairy surfaces depends on the size, spacing and orientation of the hairs in micro-scale,” says Duan.

To investigate how hairs interact to repel water, Duan and colleagues examined the layout of the tiny hairs, or setae, on water striders’ legs and fly wings.

They found the spacing of the water striders’ leg hairs, and the hairs on a fly’s wing, is optimised so that the hairs are close enough so as to not penetrate the water’s surface during impact, but not so close together it becomes inefficient.

“More densely packed setae will definitely cost more biological energy, and increase the adhesion and energy dissipation during the movement of water striders on water,” Duan says.

The spacing is designed to maximise the supporting force provided by the water surface tension which creates a meniscus — a curved surface of water — in between each individual hair. It is also designed so the water doesn’t cling to the hair, enabling the water strider to move quickly and easily across the water surface.

“For insects living on water, low energy dissipation is needed for them to lift their legs from water so they can quickly move and flee away from possible threats,” the researchers’ write.

“During a lifting process, the convex contour enables the detaching of the contact menisci to happen gradually from both sides of a hairy surface instead of the simultaneous detachment of all the menisci, which will greatly reduce the force and energy needed to lift a hairy surface from water.”

The researchers also found thicker hairs have greater load-carrying capacity as compared to thin hairs.

Survey set to prove northern fish disease-free

 Australian native freshwater species, fisheries, research, waterways/wetlands
Mar 052014
 

Original story by  , Science Network WA

A JOINT study about to begin, will determine whether populations of freshwater catfish in the country’s tropical and sub-tropical regions are free of the Edwardsiella ictaluri bacterium.
Prof Lymbery says the study will give some insight into northern freshwater fish populations. Photo: David Gardiner

Prof Lymbery says the study will give some insight into northern freshwater fish populations. Photo: David Gardiner

The bacterium can cause ‘Enteric Septicemia of Catfish’ and is potentially deadly to populations of freshwater fish in northern Australia.

Affected fish appear disorientated and can chase their tails.

Murdoch University’s Alan Lymbery says the study will investigate high risk localities in the Kimberley, Northern Territory and northern Queensland and was prompted by reports of the bacterium in imported fish and aquarium facilities.

“As far as we know through passive surveillance it’s not in wild populations, but there hasn’t been an active survey at all—if it’s here we think it would have come in with imported ornamental aquarium fish,” Professor Lymbery says.

“The survey is a targeted design which is looking at high risk populations or high risk localities for the bacterium.

“We’re looking at rivers which have major population centres on them and we’re targeting our particular sites around major towns or immediately downstream from major towns.”

Prof Lymbery says the survey for the study was designed in collaboration.

“We use a bacterial test first … if it looks like we’ve got the bacterium then we’ll go back and we’ll do some DNA testing of that fish,” he says.

“Given some assumptions, if we do not find the bacteria in around 20 fish from a number of high risk sites across northern Australia then we can be confident that native fishes are disease free.”

Prof Lymbery says the study will give some insight into northern freshwater fish populations.

“The disease caused by the bacterium can be quite severe in fish populations and can be devastating to aquaculture,” he says.

“The bacterium can have a quite high mortality and it can kill the fish rapidly.

“There is a big ornamental fish trade over the world … so it has some economic importance for Australia to be disease free.

“Australia has also got a very unique freshwater fish fauna, if there is anything we can do to keep exotic diseases out of our natural water ways it’s going to help with the conservation of our freshwater fish fauna.”

Prof Lymbery says he hopes the study will also raise awareness of the disease so fishers or fish owners can report it if they see it.

The surveys are expected to be completed by the end of the year.

Notes:

The study, funded by the federal Department of Agriculture, is being conducted by Murdoch University’s Freshwater Fish Group and Fish Health Unit with help from the WA Department of Agriculture and Food, Northern Territory Department of Resources, CSIRO and James Cook University.

Walkabout Creek won’t become theme park

 aquarium, Australian native freshwater species, community, environment, government, waterways/wetlands, wildlife
Feb 272014
 

Original story by , Brisbane Times

The Queensland government says it has ‘‘no intention’’ of reducing ranger-led activities in a $2.5 million revamp of the Walkabout Creek centre at The Gap.
Platypus in the wild at Walkabout Creek. Photo: Karleen Minney

Platypus in the wild at Walkabout Creek. Photo: Karleen Minney

Fairfax Media understands the state government has set aside $2.5 million for the stage one of a new centre on the site, which is in Premier Campbell Newman’s Ashgrove electorate.

This follows a Fairfax Media story yesterday questioning the marketing of the nature centre, which includes a rare chance to see a platypus in a natural setting.

However residents are concerned the master plan for the site – the regional headquarters for the National Parks and Wildlife Service – plans to wind back the animal enclosure at the centre.

In a statement issued late Tuesday afternoon, the government said there were ‘‘no plans to discontinue ranger-led wildlife encounters at the facility’’.

Enoggera Weir, behind the centre. Photo: Tony Moore

Enoggera Weir, behind the centre. Photo: Tony Moore

‘‘Certainly there are no plans to turn the location into a ‘theme park’,’’ the statement said.

The government has received 265 public submissions to its master plan for the site, which includes plans to use a ‘‘flying fox’’ or ‘‘zip line’’ to re-invigorate the area, beside Enoggera Weir.

The plan also recommends kayak and canoe trips on nearby Enoggera Weir.

Stage one of the upgrade includes the placement of the ‘‘flying fox’’, new playground equipment, picnic areas and barbeques.

Flying fox lines would go in the outdoor section of the wildlife enclosure, which now runs down to Enoggera Weir.

Some residents have questioned the impact of the extra noise from Enoggera Weir on local bird species, like the Red Browed Finch.

This area now houses the outside wallaby and wombat enclosure.

The majority of respondents have been supportive of the draft master plan for the centre, the government said in a statement.

‘‘The master plan seeks to expand nature-based opportunities for visitors and encourage them to explore national parks in the area,’’ it read.

‘‘To get out ‘into the bush’ and reap the health and wellbeing benefits that an active outdoor lifestyle offers.”

One of the submissions came from the Riverlife Centre at Kangaroo Point, which runs canoes and kayaks on the Brisbane River.

Manager Josh Wicks confirmed Riverlife was interested in being part of any revamped centre at The Gap.

‘‘But it comes down to what activities that they are willing to keep open,’’ he said.

‘‘My understanding is that they still have not got a firm understanding of what they are going to offer.

‘‘But I understand that is likely to come about June.’’

He said Riverlife would not run wildlife operations, but was interested in running canoe and boutique-type events from the site.

‘‘We obviously don’t have any say in what happens to that wildlife zoo, but we wouldn’t be saying that you would have to get rid of that,’’ he said.

Mr Wicks said a lot of locals were saying they wanted access to the weir.

‘‘So we might be interested in running jazz-kind of events under the stars like we do down at Kangaroo Point, which the locals like,’’ he said.

‘‘And I’m not sure that there is the opportunity to do that type of thing – we have to wait until the government releases the master plan – but we are willing to look at that.’’

Tenders are expected to be offered in June.

Fish move into ‘motels’

 Australian native freshwater species, community, fisheries, government, threatened species, waterways/wetlands
Feb 242014
 

Original story by Mark Mulcahy, The Border Mail

SCIENTISTS and river health teams are using reclaimed timber from a tornado in the Yarrawonga area to create a series of fish “motels” along the Ovens River.
Macquarie perch fingerlings released in the Ovens River.

Macquarie perch fingerlings released in the Ovens River.

New habitats for native fish are being funded from recreational fishing grants.

The North East Catchment Management Authority and representatives from the Department of Environment and Primary Industries attached to the Arthur Rylah Institute are involved in developing the new habitat.

The push for additional fish habitat coincides with a large number of recent fish stockings in the region.

The habitat structures are starting to be built between Tarrawingee and Everton today.

“Native fish look for snags and complex structures in a river when they are seeking shelter or it’s time to spawn (breed),” said Anthony Wilson, the catchment co-ordinator with the authority.

“Previous mapping of in-stream woody habitat in the Ovens River identified a lack of in-stream logs and timber for native fish species.

“That’s why we are creating these ‘motels’ for native fish.”

The fish motels are constructed by layering logs in a crisscross formation to form a tower-like structure that provides bulk and complexity for the fish species through differing water heights of the river.

The structures are then held in place within the river by large poles that are pinned into the river bed.

Mr Wilson said it was initially difficult to source native timber for the innovative fish habitat project.

“Streamline Environmental Project Management based in Yarrawonga helped us source the hardwood we needed to build these structures from tornado damaged areas,” he said.

“In doing so, we are helping to clean up storm damaged vegetation in the Yarrawonga community and offering environmental benefits for the Ovens River and its native fish populations.”

Earlier this month 5000 Macquarie perch were stocked in two spots along the Ovens River with another 33,000 released in five spots at Gapsted, Whorouly, Oxley Flats, Tarrawingee and Rocky Point last Wednesday.

About 20,000 Murray cod have been released into the Mitta River.

The North East Anglers Association with the department released 1400 catfish in Lake Moodemere near Rutherglen two weeks ago.

Biodiversity study in Kakadu’s wetlands

 Australian native freshwater species, research, threatened species, waterways/wetlands
Feb 162014
 

Media release from Griffith University

The group sampling estuarine fish in the South Alligator River is using a variety of netting and trapping techniques to document patterns in fish size and abundance, and how this varies between the wet and dry season in response to changes in flow and habitat.
Kakadu wetlands.

Kakadu wetlands.

“It’s fascinating how different the fish communities are on this trip compared to a wet season sampling trip earlier in the year. The group has collected several species which weren’t around during the wet, and the size and abundance of various species has also changed.

Another group is surveying Kakadu’s rivers to see how important it is as a habitat for the threatened freshwater sawfish and other estuarine species including the speartooth shark and the northern river shark.

“This kind of work is not possible without effective collaboration,” Professor Bunn said.

“Parks Australia and traditional owners are working closely with the team, which comprises researchers from Charles Darwin University, Griffith University, the University of Western Australia, NT Fisheries, the Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern Territory and CSIRO.”

The knowledge gained from this project will be used to assess potential effects on northern Australia’s aquatic biodiversity caused by climate change, sea level rise and other threats.

It will also help inform management strategies to minimise the impact of these threats.

 Older Entries  Newer Entries