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East Gippsland Galaxias (Galaxias aequipinnis)

The East Gippsland galaxias is a small, non-migratory freshwater fish known only from cool, shaded streams in the Arte River system of East Gippsland, Victoria. It is critically endangered and may occur in or near timber harvesting areas, so stream works, sediment mobilisation, fire impacts and the movement of introduced trout require particular care on development and infrastructure sites.

Conservation status

Commonwealth, EPBC Act 1999: Critically endangered.

Victoria, Flora and Fauna Guarantee Act 1988: Critically endangered.

Breeding season

The species is non-migratory and may be present in occupied reaches throughout the year. Breeding timing is described as winter to spring, with some evidence of late hatching in November or December.

Month values are January to December. The seasonal pattern is based on the supplied conservation advice and observations from the species or related mountain galaxias where species-specific information is unavailable.

  • Breeding and spawning: Spawning is thought to occur from winter to spring. Fish collected in late May showed advanced or ripe gonads.
  • Eggs and larvae: Egg placement and development are not confirmed for this species. Other mountain galaxias attach adhesive eggs to rocks in riffles, with hatching after about 20 to 30 days.
  • Juveniles: Three 0+ juveniles were recorded in late May, possibly indicating hatching in November or December after late spawning.
  • Movement and dispersal: The species is a non-migratory freshwater resident. Subpopulations are isolated, and salmonids restrict movement between occupied reaches.
  • Highest clearing risk: Stream and riparian disturbance can harm the species in any month. Risk is highest from June to December because breeding, eggs, larvae or young fish may be present, and sediment or flow changes can affect all life stages.

Identification

The East Gippsland galaxias is a small, scaleless fish of cool forest streams. Identification in the field should be based on a combination of body shape, colour pattern, fin proportions and the occupied stream system.

The body is elongate, tubular and scaleless, with a lateral line, a short head and snout, a large mouth and small coppery-gold eyes. The back and upper sides are brown, the underside is light brown to cream, and the belly is almost silvery white.

Dark brown to black irregular blotches and vertical bands occur on the body. A broad, indistinct pale coppery mid-lateral band may be visible. The fins are soft-rayed, translucent and slightly pale yellow to dusky, and the gill cover has a small golden patch.

Typical length: 70 to 80 mm length to caudal fin

Maximum length: 110 mm length to caudal fin

Maximum recorded weight: 12.9 g

Identification: Distinguishing features

Within the former mountain galaxias complex, the species has a relatively stout body, long pelvic fins, no black bars along the lateral line and a lower jaw that is shorter than the upper jaw, giving the snout a blunt profile.

Additional identification features include eight segmented pelvic fin rays, a long anal fin base, a long pelvic fin that is about 0.9 of the pectoral fin length, and a broadly flat dorsal midline in front of the pelvic fin bases.

  • Do not rely on colour alone, as juveniles are relatively plain and colour can vary with water conditions and light.
  • Confirm records with an appropriately qualified freshwater fish ecologist where other Galaxias species occur in the catchment.

Identification: Field detection

The species is detected by direct observation, netting or electrofishing in shallow streams. It has been recorded at densities of 0.10 to 0.28 fish per square metre, although this figure is not a population estimate.

There are no documented terrestrial field signs such as tracks, scats, nests, calls, burrows or eyeshine. Sexes are not described as reliably separable by external features in the supplied sources. Gonad condition has been used to identify reproductive maturity, with developing fish recorded from about 54.8 mm length to caudal fin.

  • Treat clear, cool, shaded pools, glides and riffles in the Arte River system as potential habitat even when fish are not immediately observed.
  • Avoid unnecessary handling and follow approved freshwater fish survey, animal ethics and translocation procedures.

Distribution: National range

The East Gippsland galaxias has an extremely restricted Australian range. No populations are documented outside Victoria or outside the Arte River system.

The species is endemic to Victoria. It occurs in the East Gippsland Basin and East Gippsland River Region, within the Bemm River catchment and the Goolengook River system.

The known range is in the Arte River and Little Arte River, at approximately 250 to 390 m above sea level. The species is not known to undertake migrations between freshwater and marine environments.

States recorded: Victoria only

Bioregional setting: East Gippsland Basin and East Gippsland River Region

Catchments: Bemm River catchment, Goolengook River system, Arte River system

Distribution: Subpopulations and strongholds

Two subpopulations are known in the Arte River, extending from a large waterfall in the headwaters through headwater tributaries to an instream barrier further downstream. A further subpopulation occurs in the mid reaches of the Little Arte River.

Sampling of intervening waters between the Arte River and Little Arte River subpopulations did not find individuals. Brown trout occur in the Goolengook River, lower Arte River and Little Arte River, and are considered to isolate the galaxias subpopulations. Waterfalls and other barriers currently help exclude trout from occupied reaches.

  • Treat all known occupied reaches, adjoining suitable headwater streams and catchments supplying those streams as important habitat.
  • Do not assume that apparently fish-free intervening reaches are suitable for connectivity, as introduced salmonids may prevent natural movement.

Distribution: Population status

A national estimate of mature individuals is not provided in the supplied documents. The species has a small population, severe fragmentation and a continuing decline. Density declined by more than 50 percent after fires and associated sedimentation in early 2014, and a further decline of more than 50 percent within three generations of the 2019 to 2020 bushfires was projected.

Preliminary genetic results indicate low genetic diversity and a high level of inbreeding. Expert assessment cited in the conservation advice estimated a 50 to 69 percent probability of extinction by 2040 without additional conservation action.

Known subpopulations: Two in the Arte River and one in the mid reaches of the Little Arte River are described in the supplied advice.

Density reported by FishBase: 0.10 to 0.28 fish per square metre

Post-fire density decline: More than 50 percent after the early 2014 fires

Projected decline: More than 50 percent within three generations of the 2019 to 2020 bushfires

Habitat: Stream habitat

Habitat is confined to small to moderately large, cool streams in densely forested catchments. Stream condition, riparian shade, water quality and protection from trout are central to persistence.

Occupied streams are clear to slightly tannin-stained, well shaded and cool. They average 1.5 to 6.0 m in width and 0.15 to 0.40 m in depth, with pools, glides and riffles, and smaller areas of rapids and backwaters.

Substrate is predominantly bedrock with boulder and cobble, with smaller amounts of gravel and coarse sand and relatively large areas of silt deposits. Instream cover is mainly rock, overhanging vegetation and timber debris, with smaller areas of aquatic vegetation. Pools average 0.6 to 0.8 m deep.

  • Protect riparian shade, natural banks, bedrock, cobble, boulder and timber cover during stream crossings and in-channel works.
  • Prevent sediment, ash, fire retardant, herbicide, fuel and other contaminants from entering occupied or connected streams.
  • Maintain natural flow paths and groundwater or surface water inputs that support occupied reaches.

Habitat: Catchment setting

The species occurs in densely forested catchments on public land or within timber harvesting areas. The supplied sources do not identify a particular vegetation community by name, but they consistently describe forested, shaded headwater stream habitat.

Habitat critical to survival includes known occupied reaches, adjoining areas of similar stream habitat, suitable predator-free sites for translocation, and the local catchment supplying surface water or groundwater.

Known elevation: Approximately 250 to 390 m above sea level

Stream width: Average 1.5 to 6.0 m

Stream depth: Average 0.15 to 0.40 m; occupied pools average 0.6 to 0.8 m

  • Assess the full upstream contributing catchment, not only the stream channel within the project footprint.
  • Consider roads, crossings, earthworks, harvesting and fire management that could increase sediment or alter shade and flow.

Foraging habitat: Diet and feeding areas

The species is expected to feed within the bed and water column of small forest streams. Its diet has not been directly reported, so the diet information below is based mainly on other members of the mountain galaxias complex.

The East Gippsland galaxias is likely to be a macroinsectivore. Expected prey includes benthic, drifting aquatic and terrestrial invertebrates such as insects, crustaceans, molluscs, worms and spiders.

Foraging habitat is likely to include riffles, glides, pools and margins where aquatic invertebrates, drifting prey and terrestrial invertebrates are available. Rock, cobble, timber debris and overhanging vegetation provide structure associated with these feeding areas.

Known species diet: Not reported

Likely diet: Benthic, drifting aquatic and terrestrial invertebrates

Reported density: 0.10 to 0.28 fish per square metre

  • Retain a range of riffle, glide, pool, backwater and vegetated margin habitats rather than simplifying the channel.
  • Limit fine sediment entering the stream because it can reduce food availability and smother benthic habitat.

Foraging habitat: Foraging range

A species-specific foraging range has not been established. The fish is non-migratory and is associated with discrete stream reaches, so works should be assessed for impacts on the occupied reach and connected local habitat rather than assuming that individuals can move to alternative streams.

  • Avoid barriers, dewatering and flow changes that could remove access to nearby pools, riffles and cover.
  • Keep temporary works, spoil and sediment controls outside the channel and riparian zone wherever practicable.

Breeding habitat: Breeding biology

Breeding habitat is not fully known, but observations indicate seasonal spawning in the same cool, shaded stream system used by adults. Other mountain galaxias provide supporting information on egg placement and development.

Spawning is thought to occur from winter to spring, although timing may vary. Fish collected in late May had advanced gonad development, including ripe males and females. Three juveniles collected in late May were considered to be 0+ fish, possibly indicating hatching in November or December after a late spawning event.

In other members of the mountain galaxias complex, sticky eggs are generally attached to the underside of rocks in riffles. Eggs are small, spherical, demersal and adhesive, and hatch after about 20 to 30 days. These details have not been confirmed specifically for the East Gippsland galaxias.

Spawning season: Thought to be winter to spring, with timing potentially variable

Egg number: Species-specific fecundity is unknown; other mountain galaxias have low fecundity, fewer than 400 eggs annually

Egg development: About 20 to 30 days in other mountain galaxias

Age at maturity: Unknown; the smallest sexually developing fish recorded was 54.8 mm length to caudal fin

Lifespan: Unknown

Generation length: Likely 2 to 4 years, based on other members of the mountain galaxias complex

  • Avoid disturbing riffles, rock undersides, cobble and shallow margins during the winter to spring breeding period.
  • Prevent sediment deposition over riffle substrates and rocks because it can reduce spawning and egg habitat.

Breeding habitat: Breeding habitat features

Likely breeding habitat includes cool, shaded riffles with rock, cobble and stable coarse substrate, within streams that retain suitable flow and water quality. Overhanging vegetation and timber debris provide additional cover in the surrounding reach.

The species cannot readily recolonise after local loss because it is non-migratory and fragmented by salmonids and physical barriers. Protecting the local catchment is therefore relevant to breeding success as well as adult survival.

  • Retain stable riffle substrates and avoid rapid changes in discharge, turbidity, temperature or dissolved oxygen.
  • Plan stream crossings and in-channel works outside the likely winter to spring spawning period where practicable.

Sheltering habitat: Known cover

No species-specific den, burrow, nest or refuge structure has been described. Shelter is provided by in-channel habitat within the stream reach.

Recorded cover includes rock, boulder and cobble, vegetation overhang, timber debris and smaller areas of aquatic vegetation. Pools, riffles, glides, rapids and backwaters together provide the structural variation used by the species.

Galaxias species may burrow into substrate to escape declining water levels during periods of surface water loss. The depth, substrate size and frequency of this behaviour for the East Gippsland galaxias are not known.

Recorded pool depth: Average 0.6 to 0.8 m

Other shelter features: Rock, boulder, cobble, vegetation overhang, timber debris and aquatic vegetation

  • Retain natural rock, cobble, timber debris, overhanging vegetation and aquatic vegetation within and beside the channel.
  • Do not remove or cover potential refuge substrate with spoil, sediment, concrete washout or temporary access materials.
  • Treat shallow stream sections and pool margins as potential refuge habitat during low flows.

Sheltering habitat: Refuge from introduced trout

Waterfalls and instream barriers currently exclude brown trout from occupied reaches. These barriers function as refuges for the galaxias, but fire, high flows, sedimentation or human activity may reduce their effectiveness or allow salmonid entry.

  • Do not disturb natural barriers that separate galaxias habitat from trout-occupied water.
  • Inspect for trout after high-flow, fire or earthworks events that could breach or drown out barriers.
  • Use only approved water sources for firefighting or dust suppression near occupied streams to reduce the risk of introducing fish.

Threats: Introduced salmonids

The main threat is predation by introduced salmonids, especially brown trout. Because the species occupies a very small, fragmented range, stream disturbance, fire, sediment, altered flow and climate change can cause severe local losses.

Brown trout occur in the Goolengook River, lower Arte River and Little Arte River, and rainbow trout are also a potential threat. Predation has likely caused major historical range loss and fragmentation. Competition with salmonids can also reduce access to food and shelter and may cause starvation, displacement, reduced reproductive output and mortality.

Most size classes of the East Gippsland galaxias fall within the reported prey size range of brown trout, 3 to 97 mm. A small number of trout may therefore cause rapid decline if they enter occupied reaches.

  • Prevent trout movement across natural or constructed barriers.
  • Check occupied reaches after high flows, fire and works that could breach barriers or provide fish access.
  • Do not move fish, water or equipment between catchments without approved biosecurity controls.

Threats: Clearing, roads and hydrology

Timber harvesting, road and track maintenance and chemical application can alter flows and mobilise sediment or toxins into streams. Fine sediment, siltation and turbidity can smother food, refuge and spawning habitat.

Clearing or thinning riparian vegetation can reduce shade and increase water temperature. Works that alter groundwater, surface flow or drainage can reduce the amount and quality of water available to occupied reaches.

Catchment context: Forestry operations continue in parts of the range, and many areas may be sources of soil disturbance and sediment input.

Protected or excluded catchment area: The conservation advice reports 29 percent within the reserve system and a further 47 percent excluded from timber harvesting as Immediate Protection Areas.

  • Keep clearing, crossings, spoil, stockpiles and drainage works away from occupied channels and riparian habitat wherever practicable.
  • Use sediment and erosion controls designed for small headwater streams, and maintain them after rainfall.
  • Prevent concrete, fuel, herbicide, pesticide and other pollutants from entering surface water or groundwater supplying the habitat.

Threats: Fire and post-fire impacts

Fire can increase stream temperature and sediment load, reduce dissolved oxygen, alter water chemistry and remove protective riparian shade. These effects can extend downstream from burnt areas. Sediment may smother food, refuge and spawning habitat, while high flows may damage barriers and allow trout to enter.

The species declined by more than 50 percent after the early 2014 fires and was assessed as highly vulnerable to the 2019 to 2020 bushfires. Fire retardants and suppression chemicals can also weaken or kill fish if they enter streams.

  • Protect unburnt stream reaches and riparian vegetation during fire response and recovery works.
  • Keep fire retardant, ash, soil and sediment out of occupied and connected streams.
  • Survey affected reaches after fire and after major rainfall before undertaking further works.

Threats: Feral animals, climate and small population effects

Feral pigs and deer can trample, wallow and root stream margins, increasing erosion, sedimentation, turbidity and nutrient enrichment. Drought and hotter, drier conditions can reduce flows, increase water temperature and dry stream habitat.

The small, isolated population is also exposed to genetic decline, inbreeding and loss of local populations. Disease is identified as a potential additional threat, although no species-specific disease impact is documented in the supplied sources.

  • Control feral pigs and deer where they damage stream banks, riparian vegetation or water quality.
  • Retain shade and protect groundwater and surface water inputs during dry periods.
  • Record dead or diseased fish and seek advice from the relevant Victorian authority before handling or moving specimens.

Survey methodology: 1. Define the aquatic survey area

The East Gippsland galaxias is a small, non migratory freshwater fish known only from the Arte River system and Little Arte River in East Gippsland, Victoria, at about 250 to 390 m above sea level. Project surveys must focus on cool, shaded streams and on preventing disturbance, sediment entry and salmonid movement into occupied habitat.

Map all streams, tributaries, drainage lines, crossings and downstream receiving waters that could be affected by clearing, earthworks, road construction, water extraction, sediment movement or fire response activities.

Give priority to small to moderately large streams, typically 1.5 to 6.0 m wide and 0.15 to 0.40 m deep, with clear to slightly tannin stained water, pools, glides and riffles, and dense forest cover.

Inspect reaches containing bedrock, boulder and cobble, coarse sand, silt deposits, rock cover, overhanging vegetation and timber debris.

Treat the local surface water and groundwater catchment that maintains these streams as relevant habitat when planning disturbance controls.

Survey methodology: 2. Survey for galaxias and introduced salmonids

Use experienced freshwater fish ecologists and authorised operators to survey suitable reaches with backpack electrofishing, following the established Victorian galaxiid survey methodology described by the Arthur Rylah Institute.

Survey both occupied or potentially occupied habitat and barriers that may prevent brown trout or rainbow trout from reaching galaxias habitat.

Record all native fish and introduced salmonids, including brown trout and rainbow trout, because salmonid presence can indicate a serious risk to the species even where galaxias are not detected.

Use appropriate fish welfare, decontamination and biosecurity procedures between reaches to avoid transferring fish, pathogens, sediment or contaminated water.

  • Do not release captured fish into a different waterway or move salmonids between sites.
  • Record the reach boundaries, survey date, water conditions, method, effort, equipment, operators, capture and release details, species counts and photographs where permitted.

Survey methodology: 3. Time and interpret the survey

Plan surveys before works and repeat them after fire, sedimentation, barrier damage, high flow events or suspected salmonid incursion where these events could change habitat condition or detection probability.

Consider winter to spring reproductive activity when scheduling work and interpreting observations, because spawning is thought to occur during winter to spring, although the timing may vary.

Use repeat or complementary surveys where water conditions, access, fire effects or sediment make detection unreliable; the supplied documents do not prescribe a species specific number of nights, hours, trap nights or transect length.

Interpret a non detection cautiously because the species is restricted to two isolated subpopulations and may occur at low density, reported elsewhere as 0.10 to 0.28 fish per square metre.

  • Do not use terrestrial spotlighting, hair tubes, camera traps or standard mammal trapping as substitutes for an aquatic fish survey.
  • Record whether the reach was burnt, sediment affected, turbid, disconnected, unusually warm or occupied by salmonids, as these conditions affect both habitat suitability and survey interpretation.

Survey methodology: Minimum effort and reporting

  • Obtain project specific advice from the Victorian fisheries and threatened species authorities before surveying or disturbing potential habitat.
  • Use an appropriately experienced and authorised freshwater fish survey team, and document the method and effort because the supplied documents do not set a fixed minimum survey effort for this species.
  • Submit confirmed records, negative survey results, salmonid detections, dead or injured fish and significant habitat observations to the relevant Victorian wildlife or biodiversity database and provide records to the project regulator where required.
  • Retain raw field sheets, GPS tracks, photographs, electrofishing settings, water quality observations, specimen or tissue records and chain of custody information.
  • Report the species as Galaxias aequipinnis, East Gippsland galaxias, and distinguish it from other galaxiids in the Bemm River catchment.

Before habitat disturbance: Avoid and minimise habitat disturbance

Avoid disturbing occupied streams and the catchments that maintain them. The species has a very restricted distribution, severe fragmentation and continuing decline, so project planning must prevent salmonid access, sediment delivery, altered flows and loss of cool shaded habitat.

  • Avoid works in the Arte River system and Little Arte River wherever a practicable alternative exists, particularly near the two known subpopulations and their connecting headwater habitat.
  • Retain streamside forest, overhanging vegetation, pools, glides, riffles, rock cover, timber debris and stable bed and banks.
  • Maintain natural flow paths, groundwater inputs, instream barriers and barriers that prevent brown trout and rainbow trout from reaching occupied habitat.
  • Do not place spoil, concrete washout, fuels, chemicals, slash or sediment where they can enter a stream or tributary.
  • Prevent works from increasing water temperature, turbidity, sedimentation or toxic runoff.

Before habitat disturbance: Check approvals and plan controls

EPBC Act status: Critically Endangered

Victorian status: Critically Endangered

  • Check whether the action is likely to have a significant impact on this EPBC Act critically endangered species and obtain an EPBC Act referral or approval where required.
  • Confirm Victorian threatened species, fisheries, public land, waterway, vegetation removal and animal handling requirements before works begin.
  • Engage the relevant Victorian authority and a suitably experienced aquatic ecologist if the project could affect known or potential habitat.
  • Prepare a fauna and aquatic habitat management plan covering survey results, exclusion areas, sediment and water quality controls, salmonid response, fish rescue, incident reporting and stop work conditions.

Before habitat disturbance: Stage works around risks

  • Schedule in stream works to avoid periods of high flow, severe heat, fire affected runoff and other conditions that could mobilise sediment or reduce dissolved oxygen.
  • Consider winter to spring spawning activity when setting work windows, noting that the spawning period may vary and that eggs, larvae, juveniles and adults are susceptible to post fire impacts.
  • Stage works so that an undisturbed, connected refuge remains available and so machinery is not operating simultaneously across multiple reaches.
  • Plan for rapid response if a natural barrier is damaged, sediment is released or salmonids are detected upstream of a protective barrier.

Before habitat disturbance: Prepare and mark the site

  • Complete a pre clearance aquatic survey of all potentially affected reaches and downstream habitat before access, clearing, crossings or earthworks.
  • Mark no go stream buffers, access routes, refuelling areas, spoil areas, sediment controls and retained habitat in the field before machinery arrives.
  • Install exclusion fencing or other controls where they can prevent machinery, people, stock or materials entering retained stream habitat without blocking necessary fish passage.
  • Brief all workers that this species is a critically endangered freshwater fish and that any detection, fish kill, salmonid incursion, barrier damage or sediment release must be reported immediately.

During habitat disturbance: Daily work controls

Keep machinery, sediment and pollutants out of retained stream habitat. A fauna spotter catcher is not a substitute for an authorised aquatic fish team, and fish must not be captured, handled or relocated without the required approvals and skills.

  • Inspect stream crossings, exclusion fencing, sediment controls, pumps, diversion structures and downstream water quality controls before work starts each day and after rainfall or high flow.
  • Keep machinery on designated access routes and out of the channel, banks, pools, riffles and retained riparian vegetation unless the approved method specifically requires in stream work.
  • Use clean equipment and prevent transfer of mud, water, fish, pathogens, fuel, herbicide, concrete and fire retardant between waterways.
  • Stop or modify work if water becomes visibly turbid, sediment enters the channel, flow is blocked, water quality deteriorates, a barrier is damaged or a salmonid is detected in protected habitat.

During habitat disturbance: Fauna spotter and machinery interface

  • Position the spotter catcher where they can see the work front, access points, drainage lines and retained aquatic habitat without entering unsafe machinery exclusion zones.
  • Require machinery operators to stop immediately when directed by the spotter catcher or aquatic ecologist.
  • Do not allow a general fauna spotter catcher to electrofish, net, identify, hold or relocate East Gippsland galaxias unless they hold the required authorisation, training and project appointment.
  • Keep a qualified aquatic ecologist or authorised fish rescue team available when works could isolate, dewater or directly disturb occupied habitat.

During habitat disturbance: Handle habitat and animals correctly

  • Treat pools, riffles, bedrock, boulders, cobble, logs, overhanging vegetation and silt deposits as fish habitat and do not remove or relocate them unless the approved method requires it.
  • If a fish is found, stop the immediate activity, protect the location from further disturbance and contact the authorised aquatic ecologist and project environmental officer.
  • Capture and temporarily hold a fish only under an approved fish rescue procedure using appropriate water quality, temperature, oxygenation and hygiene controls.
  • Relocate a captured East Gippsland galaxias only to suitable nearby retained habitat identified and approved by the relevant authority; do not release it into another catchment or unapproved site.
  • Send injured or stressed fish to an appropriately authorised aquatic wildlife veterinarian, rehabilitation facility or wildlife carer through the relevant authority, and record deaths as incidents.

During habitat disturbance: Stop work and record incidents

  • Stop work immediately for a live or dead East Gippsland galaxias, salmonid incursion, fish stranding, loss of flow, barrier breach, major sediment discharge, chemical spill, fire retardant entry or unexpected habitat damage.
  • Keep machinery, people and further materials away from the affected area until the aquatic ecologist and relevant authority provide instructions.
  • Record the date, time, GPS location, reach, species, number, condition, photographs, water conditions, activity underway, people involved, action taken and final disposition.
  • Notify the regulator, approval holder and relevant Victorian wildlife or fisheries authority within the time required by the approval or management plan.

After habitat disturbance: Inspect and restore immediately

Post work checks must confirm that retained habitat remains connected, shaded and free of sediment and salmonids. Continue controls until the stream and surrounding catchment are stable and monitoring shows that the works have not caused a decline.

  • Complete an aquatic inspection after each work stage, after rainfall and at final completion, including the work reach, upstream barrier and downstream receiving habitat.
  • Remove temporary materials, sediment, spoil, waste, fuel and pollution sources without entering or further damaging retained habitat.
  • Repair eroded banks, failed sediment controls, damaged stream crossings, blocked flow paths and any barrier that could allow salmonid movement into galaxias habitat.
  • Confirm that no fish have been stranded in bypass channels, cofferdams, pumps, isolated pools or dewatered sections.

After habitat disturbance: Monitor habitat and fish

  • Repeat authorised fish and salmonid surveys where the project caused dewatering, channel disturbance, fire related runoff, sedimentation, barrier damage or other material change to habitat.
  • Monitor water clarity, sediment deposition, flow, temperature, dissolved oxygen where relevant, bank stability, riparian cover and instream cover against the pre work baseline.
  • Monitor for brown trout and rainbow trout upstream of protective barriers and arrange immediate removal through the relevant authorised program if detected.
  • Use the monitoring period and method specified in the approval or fauna management plan, because the supplied documents do not prescribe a universal post construction duration or sampling effort.

After habitat disturbance: Report and maintain controls

  • Provide the final survey, incident, fish rescue, salmonid detection, water quality and rehabilitation records to the approval holder, regulator and relevant Victorian database.
  • Keep exclusion fencing, sediment controls, access restrictions and signage in place until the environmental officer confirms that they are no longer required.
  • Report any continuing decline, fish mortality, failed rehabilitation, new habitat disturbance or change in salmonid distribution to the relevant Victorian authority.
  • Assess whether an offset, conservation measure or additional recovery action is required under the EPBC Act approval and Victorian requirements.

Rehabilitation actions: Restore stream and riparian habitat

Rehabilitation should restore the cool, shaded, structurally diverse stream habitat on which this species depends. It must also reduce the risk of salmonid invasion, sedimentation, altered flow and repeated fire damage.

  • Reinstate stable pools, glides and riffles where works have altered channel form, while retaining natural bedrock, boulder, cobble, gravel, coarse sand and suitable silt deposits.
  • Replant locally appropriate native riparian vegetation to restore shade, bank stability, overhanging cover and cool water conditions; select species with advice from the relevant Victorian land manager because the supplied documents do not identify a species specific planting list.
  • Retain or reinstate suitable timber debris, rock cover and other natural refuge without creating a barrier to fish movement or a route for salmonid movement.
  • Reconnect natural surface and groundwater flow paths and prevent drainage, extraction or diversion from reducing habitat availability.

Rehabilitation actions: Control sediment, weeds, pests and fire risks

  • Stabilise disturbed soil and banks promptly and maintain sediment controls until vegetation is established and the stream is no longer receiving excess sediment.
  • Control riparian weeds where they alter stream temperature, chemistry, bank stability or channel form, using methods approved for use near waterways.
  • Manage feral deer and pigs where trampling, wallowing, rooting, erosion, turbidity or sedimentation threatens the stream or recovery works.
  • Plan fire prevention and post fire response to protect retained unburnt habitat, reduce ash and sediment entry, maintain shade and prevent damage to instream barriers.

Rehabilitation actions: Support recovery and measure success

  • Protect all known and newly established galaxias habitat from salmonid access, and inspect natural or constructed barriers after fire, floods and major earthworks.
  • Consider approved translocation or captive holding only through a species recovery program and after a specific risk assessment, because a previous translocation showed no sign of successful breeding and no individuals were recovered after the 2019 to 2020 bushfires.
  • Set success measures for stable flow, reduced turbidity and sediment, recovering riparian shade, retained instream cover, absence of salmonids upstream of barriers and persistence or increase of East Gippsland galaxias detections.
  • Use the same authorised survey method at the same marked reaches where possible, compare results with the pre work baseline and submit all records to the relevant Victorian wildlife database.
  • Continue monitoring through relevant disturbance and recovery periods, including after fire, high flow, drought or suspected salmonid incursion.

Sources