Recovery Actions for Swan Galaxias
Swan galaxias are listed as endangered under the EPBC Act and the Threatened Species Protection Act 1995 and are one of the Australian Government’s priority species under its Threatened Species Strategy 2021-2031. Researchers have identified Swan Galaxias as one of Australia’s most threatened freshwater fish at imminent risk of extinction within the next 20 years.
Building on previous work, this project addressed the key threats to the species and built resilience in the population in anticipation of the impacts of climate change.
Our Approach
This project improved the conservation trajectory of the endangered Swan Galaxias by;
- Applying new techniques and technologies to habitat modelling to identify previously undiscovered populations and inform site selection for on-ground restoration works;
- Developing eDNA markers for population sampling as a tool in routine river health monitoring by partner organisations;
- Translocating Swan Galaxias to new sites to protect genetic diversity and safeguard population size, and;
Riparian restoration of creek beds at sites that hold critical populations to enhance bank stability, provide refugia and mitigate agricultural runoff.
PROJECT PILLARS SWAN GALAXIAS
Background
As well as being one of Australia’s most at-risk freshwater fish, the Swan Galaxias is also one of our most mysterious. Confined to remote locations in Tasmania’s northeast, Swan Galaxias were only discovered in 1978 and we still know very little about their historic range and evolutionary history.
Today, only a handful of fragmented and fragile populations remain. Under threat from habitat degradation, declining water quality and predation from invasive species including Brown Trout and Redfin Perch, the Swan Galaxias is endangered and facing extinction. In the sites where they can still be found, they typically remain in the shallow headwater of streams that are inaccessible to introduced fish species. While this gives them some protection from predators, it also makes them more susceptible to climate extremes; five separate populations have been wiped out by droughts and floods since the early 1990s.
Key Milestones
1 ha of habitat restored
2 new populations established
eDNA marker developed and field tested
120 Swan Galaxias translocated
What's Next
Inland Fisheries Service will continue to monitor the translocated Swan Galaxias to ensure these populations survive and flourish.
This project is in line with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals
Related News
9 May, 2024 1 Min Read
Extending efforts to protect Swan galaxias – new project announced
NRM South is pleased to announce that a new Swan galaxias project has been approved, funded through an Australian Government ‘Saving Native Species’ grant. Our activities will build on the...
Read More5 December, 2023 1 Min Read
New Swan Galaxias Settle Into New Habitat, Signalling Promising Population Growth
Six months ago, through a project to help boost the survival of endangered Swan galaxias in Tasmania, NRM South worked with Tasmania's Inland Fisheries Service (IFS) to move 120 fish...
Read More
5 April, 2023 2 Min Read
Moving to Survive: Translocation Efforts Protecting a Fragile Species
As well as being one of Australia’s most at-risk freshwater fish, the Swan Galaxias is also one of our most mysterious. Confined to remote locations in Tasmania’s northeast, Swan Galaxias...
Read More
5 December, 2022 2 Min Read
Searching for Swan Galaxia – one of Australia’s most at-risk freshwater fish
Over the last couple of weeks, our Project Officer Zak Wheaton, accompanied by staff from Tasmania’s Inland Fisheries Service, visited multiple sites across the South Esk, upper Scamander and Macquarie...
Read More
8 April, 2022 2 Min Read
Fintastic result as endangered fish conservation efforts receive funding boost!
This week, representatives from NRM South met with Minister for the Environment, The Hon. Sussan Ley MP and Liberal Candidate for Lyons, Susie Bower to announce grant funding for two...
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22 May, 2024 1 Min Read
Funding boost for native species
NRM South has received funding totalling $765k for two projects as part of $24 million funding boost for threatened species across Australia. The funding allocation was announced today by Environment...
Read More9 May, 2024 1 Min Read
Extending efforts to protect Swan galaxias – new project announced
NRM South is pleased to announce that a new Swan galaxias project has been approved, funded through an Australian Government ‘Saving Native Species’ grant. Our activities will build on the...
Read More5 December, 2023 1 Min Read
New Swan Galaxias Settle Into New Habitat, Signalling Promising Population Growth
Six months ago, through a project to help boost the survival of endangered Swan galaxias in Tasmania, NRM South worked with Tasmania's Inland Fisheries Service (IFS) to move 120 fish...
Read More5 April, 2023 2 Min Read
Moving to Survive: Translocation Efforts Protecting a Fragile Species
As well as being one of Australia’s most at-risk freshwater fish, the Swan Galaxias is also one of our most mysterious. Confined to remote locations in Tasmania’s northeast, Swan Galaxias...
Read More5 December, 2022 2 Min Read
Searching for Swan Galaxia – one of Australia’s most at-risk freshwater fish
Over the last couple of weeks, our Project Officer Zak Wheaton, accompanied by staff from Tasmania’s Inland Fisheries Service, visited multiple sites across the South Esk, upper Scamander and Macquarie...
Read More8 April, 2022 2 Min Read
Fintastic result as endangered fish conservation efforts receive funding boost!
This week, representatives from NRM South met with Minister for the Environment, The Hon. Sussan Ley MP and Liberal Candidate for Lyons, Susie Bower to announce grant funding for two...
Read More22 May, 2024 1 Min Read
Funding boost for native species
NRM South has received funding totalling $765k for two projects as part of $24 million funding boost for threatened species across Australia. The funding allocation was announced today by Environment...
Read More9 May, 2024 1 Min Read
Extending efforts to protect Swan galaxias – new project announced
NRM South is pleased to announce that a new Swan galaxias project has been approved, funded through an Australian Government ‘Saving Native Species’ grant. Our activities will build on the...
Read More5 December, 2023 1 Min Read
New Swan Galaxias Settle Into New Habitat, Signalling Promising Population Growth
Six months ago, through a project to help boost the survival of endangered Swan galaxias in Tasmania, NRM South worked with Tasmania's Inland Fisheries Service (IFS) to move 120 fish...
Read More5 April, 2023 2 Min Read
Moving to Survive: Translocation Efforts Protecting a Fragile Species
As well as being one of Australia’s most at-risk freshwater fish, the Swan Galaxias is also one of our most mysterious. Confined to remote locations in Tasmania’s northeast, Swan Galaxias...
Read More5 December, 2022 2 Min Read
Searching for Swan Galaxia – one of Australia’s most at-risk freshwater fish
Over the last couple of weeks, our Project Officer Zak Wheaton, accompanied by staff from Tasmania’s Inland Fisheries Service, visited multiple sites across the South Esk, upper Scamander and Macquarie...
Read More
