Delays threaten Tasmanian Giant Freshwater Crayfish survival
24 Jun 2005
The world's largest freshwater crayfish (Astacopsis gouldi) could face an uncertain future if measures to protect the unique species are put on hold once again.
The Threatened Species Network (TSN) has been on the recovery team for the Tasmanian Giant Freshwater Crayfish since its inception in February 1997 and has been involved in the drafting of four "draft" recovery plans for the Giant Freshwater Crayfish between 1997 and 2005.
Due to over fishing, their slow growth and low reproductive rates, plus their sensitivity to degraded habitat, the world largest invertebrate is listed as vulnerable.
"They are believed to live up to 60 years, which is fortunate because an 8 year negotiation process to help this species survive is pathetic," Tasmanian TSN coordinator Peter McGlone said.
"Loss of habitat; barriers like culverts and bridge structures stopping movement; extreme siltation from erosion; damage from sand extraction; contaminants entering the waterway and illegal fishing mean the crayfish hasn?t got long without our assistance," Mr McGlone said.
"Let's get on with the plan and stop the practices that we know are sending it towards extinction."
"Not having a final plan has held up obtaining resources for managing this species - including mitigating threats from fishing and agriculture as well as forestry activities."
Finalisation of the plan has been held up several times in the past because of disputes over the approach taken to management of forestry activities. The major dispute has been over protection of habitat that is likely to be important for Giant Freshwater Crayfish (mainly Class four streams) but where records of Giant Freshwater Crayfish are largely absent.
This version of the recovery plan has made a small but significant step forward in addressing this critical issue.
The TSN strongly supports the draft plan's recommendation that landscape management approaches such as protected areas "need to be developed and implemented".
"While I am sure all non-government members of the recovery team wanted to see specific reserves proposed, a great deal of work has been done to toward this end and this work should be finalised as a priority," Mr McGlone said.
The TSN also strongly supports the plan's recommendation for further research focusing on the impacts of logging immediately upstream of high suitability habitat.
The TSN encourages community groups and individuals to make submissions on the Draft Recovery Plan for the Giant Freshwater Crayfish - submissions are to be made to DPIWE by the deadline of Monday 27 June 2005.
NOTES
- The draft recovery plan can be downloaded from the DPIWE web site
- Under the new draft plan, Giant Freshwater Crayfish habitat will be classified as either high suitability habitat (below 250m altitude within the range of the Giant Freshwater Crayfish) and moderate suitability habitat (between 250m and 400m altitude within the range of the Giant Freshwater Crayfish).
- One major change is proposed for stream buffers: High suitability habitat will receive slightly stronger protection with 30m buffers for class 2, 3 and 4 streams (currently class four streams only receive 30 metre buffers where Giant Freshwater Crayfish have been recorded).
- Moderate suitability habitat will receive the same level of protection as is currently the case i.e. 10m streamside reserves on class 4 streams, 30m for class 3 and class 2 and 40m for class 1).
- While the class four stream buffer recommendation is a positive move, the TSN is concerned that the cut off for high suitability habitat may be set too low at 250m altitude. We understand that defining high suitability habitat is subject to ongoing research and that this research should be completed before the fauna provisions of the FPC are amended.
For further information please contact:
Peter McGlone, Tasmanian Coordinator, Threatened Species Network
Phone: (03) 6234 3552
Email: tsntas@wwf.org.au
