SUMMARY
Improving the conservation trajectory of the endangered Swan galaxias (Galaxias fontanus).
BACKGROUND
Swan galaxia are listed as endangered under the EPBC Act and the Threatened Species Protection Act 1995 and is 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.
PARTNERS
State government, CSIRO, University of Tasmania, NRM North.
FUNDING
Australian Government – Environmental Restoration Fund
PROJECT DURATION
June 2022 – June 2023
APPROACH
Building on previous work, the project will apply new techniques and technologies to habitat modelling to identify previously undiscovered populations and inform site selection for on-ground restoration works. It will develop eDNA markers for population sampling as a tool in routine river health monitoring by partner organisations, and undertaken translocations to protect genetic diversity and safeguard population size. The project addresses the key threats to the species and builds resilience in population in anticipation of the impacts of climate change.
PROJECT UPDATES
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 catchments on the lookout for critically endangered Swan Galaxia (Galaxias fontanus). Considered to be one of Australia’s most at-risk freshwater
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 new conservation projects focusing on red handfish and swan galaxia, two endangered fish species that are listed as priority species