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Roundsnout Galaxias (Galaxias terenasus)

The roundsnout galaxias is a small, non-migratory freshwater fish endemic to the Snowy River and East Gippsland catchments of south-eastern New South Wales and Victoria. On development sites, clearing, sediment runoff, altered flows, fire impacts, fish passage changes and the spread of introduced predators can affect occupied streams and nearby habitat critical to survival.

Conservation status

Commonwealth, EPBC Act 1999: Endangered.

Victoria, Flora and Fauna Guarantee Act 1988: Endangered.

Breeding season

The pattern below is typical for the species across its range. Timing varies between catchments, and the exact spawning sites and movement patterns remain incompletely known.

The species remains in freshwater streams throughout the year. There is no evidence of diadromous migration.

  • Breeding: Spawning generally occurs from spring to early summer, approximately September to December, with timing varying between catchments.
  • Young: Eggs are inferred to hatch after about 20 to 30 days. Juveniles occur in shoals and use shallow water near stream banks.
  • Movement and dispersal: The species is non-migratory. Local movement and recruitment occur within freshwater stream systems, but species-level dispersal data are limited.
  • Low flow and refuge use: Remnant pools and spaces between rocks and cobbles may provide refuge whenever flow is low or absent. The timing varies with rainfall and catchment conditions.
  • Highest clearing risk: In-channel works, clearing and sediment-generating disturbance are most likely to affect spawning, eggs and young from spring to early summer. Avoid this period where practicable and protect habitat year round.

Identification

This is a small, scaleless galaxiid that lives in freshwater streams and rivers. Identification should be confirmed by an experienced freshwater fish specialist where other Galaxias species occur.

The body is elongate and tubular, with a pale olive-brown back and sides, irregular dark blotches above the lateral line and a silvery-white belly. The head is small, the snout rounded, the mouth small and the eye large, about one quarter of the head size. Fins are thin, translucent, soft-rayed and spineless. Juveniles are whitish-cream and darken as they grow.

Typical length: 45 to 70 mm

Maximum length: About 80 mm

Maximum weight: About 3 g

Identification: Distinguishing features

The roundsnout galaxias most closely resembles the swamp galaxias, Galaxias parvus, and other members of the former Galaxias olidus complex. Useful features include the rounded lateral snout profile, small head and mouth, large eye, shallow body, thin fins, distinctive blotched colour pattern and lack of distinct black bars along the lateral line. Detailed identification may require examination of fin rays, body proportions and vertebral counts.

  • The dorsal fin has about 8 to 11 soft rays and the anal fin about 10 to 13 soft rays.
  • The pectoral fin usually has a low segmented ray count, with a mean of about 13.
  • The vertebral count is usually low, with a mean of about 51.
  • The Cann River form is genetically divergent and has not been formally described as a separate species.

Identification: Field signs and handling

There are no reliable terrestrial field signs such as tracks, scats, calls, nests, sloughs or eyeshine. Presence is established from live fish captured in the waterway or by suitable aquatic survey methods. Adults are generally solitary, while juveniles occur in shoals.

  • Use experienced aquatic fauna personnel for capture, identification and release.
  • Record the waterway reach, habitat type, flow condition, water depth, cover and any introduced fish detected.
  • Avoid treating absence from a single survey as evidence that the species is absent, because detection can vary with flow, habitat and survey conditions.

Distribution: National range

The species is endemic to freshwater rivers in south-eastern Australia. Its known range is restricted to the mid-catchments of the Snowy River and East Gippsland catchments.

In New South Wales, records are from the Snowy, Maclaughlin, Delegate and Bombala rivers, and the upper Genoa River. In Victoria, records are from the Genoa River downstream of the New South Wales border and the mid to upper Cann River.

States: New South Wales and Victoria

Catchments: Snowy River and East Gippsland

Known river systems: Snowy, Maclaughlin, Delegate, Bombala, Genoa and Cann

  • New South Wales: Snowy River catchment, including the Snowy, Maclaughlin, Delegate and Bombala river systems, and the upper Genoa River.
  • Victoria: East Gippsland, including the Genoa River and Cann River.
  • The species is generally absent from the very upper headwaters, most likely because introduced predatory fish restrict access and persistence there.

Distribution: Subpopulations and strongholds

The species is considered to occur in about 3 to 4 populations. The Snowy and Genoa catchments contain separate genetic lineages, and the Cann River population is additionally genetically divergent. All known populations are considered important for maintaining the species' genetic diversity and recovery.

  • Snowy River catchment lineage.
  • Genoa River lineage, including the upper Genoa in New South Wales and the mid to lower Genoa in Victoria.
  • Cann River population, also referred to as Cann galaxias or Galaxias sp. 17 “Cann”.

Distribution: Population size and trend

A reliable national estimate of mature individuals is not provided in the supplied documents. The approved conservation advice identifies an ongoing decline in geographic range, habitat quality and population, with a predicted 34 percent decline in population size over the next three generations following the 2019 to 2020 bushfires.

Estimated number of populations: About 3 to 4

Predicted post-fire decline: 34 percent over the next 3 generations following the 2019 to 2020 bushfires

National abundance estimate: Not established in the supplied documents

Habitat: Waterway setting

Roundsnout galaxias occupies clear freshwater creeks and rivers from mid-catchment reaches. It uses a range of channel habitats, provided there is suitable flow, water quality and instream cover.

The species occurs in clear, slow to moderately flowing creeks and rivers, including pools, glides, riffles and still backwaters. It has been recorded in lightly to heavily forested catchments and in some streams modified by agricultural grazing.

  • Typical water depth is 0.1 to 0.6 m, although adults prefer deeper pools and recorded pool depths in the broader habitat description range from 0.2 to 1.8 m.
  • Typical waterway width is about 10 to 12 m.
  • The species is non-migratory and confined to freshwater.

Habitat: Substrate and structure

Suitable reaches commonly contain bedrock, boulders, cobbles and coarse sand, with smaller amounts of pebble, gravel and silt. Cover is provided by rocks, timber debris, aquatic vegetation, leaf litter, overhanging vegetation and shaded banks.

  • Protect the channel, banks and riparian vegetation from sediment mobilisation and physical disturbance.
  • Retain pools, riffles, glides, backwaters, coarse substrates and water-holding spaces between rocks and cobbles.
  • Maintain surface water and groundwater inputs that keep refuge pools connected or persistent during low flow.

Habitat: Elevation and environmental limits

Records span about 250 to 785 m above sea level. The species is sensitive to declining water quality, high temperature and low dissolved oxygen. Species in the former mountain galaxias complex have an upper thermal tolerance of approximately 33 degrees Celsius, with lower tolerance when dissolved oxygen declines.

Recorded elevation: 250 to 785 m above sea level

Approximate upper thermal tolerance for the complex: About 33 degrees Celsius, reduced when dissolved oxygen is low

  • Avoid activities that increase water temperature, turbidity, sediment loads or nutrient inputs.
  • During low flow, check remnant pools and water-holding spaces between rocks and cobbles because fish may use these areas as refuges.
  • Treat nearby unoccupied reaches with suitable habitat as potentially important for future colonisation.

Foraging habitat: Diet

The species has not been studied in detail as a separate taxon, but evidence from the former mountain galaxias complex indicates feeding on small aquatic and terrestrial invertebrates in and around stream habitats.

The likely diet includes benthic, drifting, aquatic and terrestrial invertebrates, including insects, crustaceans, molluscs, worms and spiders. The supplied documents do not identify particular food plants or a quantified daily food intake.

  • Retain rocky substrates, woody debris, leaf litter and riparian vegetation that support invertebrate prey.
  • Prevent sedimentation and pollution that can reduce benthic prey and degrade feeding areas.
  • Maintain a range of pools, glides, riffles and shallow margins because the species uses varied stream habitats.

Foraging habitat: Where it feeds

Feeding habitat is likely to include the stream bed, water column and margins where aquatic and terrestrial invertebrates are available. Juveniles use shallower water near the banks, while adults are more often associated with deeper pools.

  • Do not infer a fixed terrestrial foraging range. The species forages within its occupied stream reach and connected aquatic habitat.
  • Keep riparian overhang, leaf litter and instream cover where they do not create a safety or flood risk, as these features can support prey and provide cover.
  • Avoid works that isolate pools or remove coarse substrate and woody cover.

Breeding habitat: Breeding biology

Breeding occurs in freshwater stream habitat, generally from spring to early summer. The exact spawning sites of roundsnout galaxias have not been confirmed, so rocky substrates and clean, oxygenated flow should be protected wherever the species occurs.

Both sexes mature at about 30 to 35 mm in length. Females become gravid at about 52 to 63 mm. Spawning generally occurs from spring to early summer, although timing varies between catchments.

Breeding season: Generally spring to early summer, with variation between catchments

Maturity: Both sexes mature at about 30 to 35 mm

Female gravid size: About 52 to 63 mm

Eggs per female: About 220 to 240 unshed eggs

Egg diameter: About 1.2 mm

Estimated egg hatching period: About 20 to 30 days, based on the broader mountain galaxias complex

Estimated generation length: About 2 to 4 years, with a best estimate of 3 years

Maximum life expectancy: Not accurately determined; related evidence suggests about 3 to 4 years

  • Eggs are inferred to be demersal, adhesive and laid in masses on rocky substrates.
  • Eggs in the broader mountain galaxias complex generally hatch after about 20 to 30 days, with larvae about 9 mm long at hatching.
  • Adults are solitary, while juveniles form shoals and congregate in shallower water near stream banks.

Breeding habitat: Breeding habitat features

Likely breeding habitat includes clean rocky streambed, suitable shallow to moderate flow, stable water levels and sufficient dissolved oxygen. Spawning site selection is not known for this species, so all occupied reaches containing rocky substrates, pools, riffles and connected shallow margins should be treated as potential breeding habitat.

  • Avoid sediment entering the channel, particularly during spring and early summer when spawning may occur.
  • Retain rocks, cobbles, pools, riffles, bank cover and overhanging vegetation.
  • Prevent barriers or low flows from isolating breeding habitat and juvenile shoals.
  • If fish are present, plan in-channel works outside the likely spring to early summer breeding period where practicable, subject to specialist advice and required approvals.

Sheltering habitat: Aquatic refuges

Shelter is provided by aquatic and instream features rather than terrestrial dens or hollows. Shelter habitat can become especially important during drought, low flow, fire impacts and predation pressure.

Adults prefer deeper pools. During no-flow or low-flow periods, fish may persist in remnant pools and in spaces between rocks and cobbles that retain water. Juveniles use shallower water near the banks and occur in shoals.

  • Retain remnant pools and avoid draining, infilling or isolating them.
  • Protect spaces between rocks and cobbles from sediment burial and removal.
  • Maintain flow paths and groundwater inputs that support refuge pools during dry periods.
  • Retain instream rocks, timber debris, aquatic vegetation and overhanging bank vegetation.

Sheltering habitat: Cover from predators and disturbance

Rock, timber debris, aquatic vegetation and overhanging vegetation provide instream cover. In reaches with trout, roundsnout galaxias may occupy very shallow riffles, potentially less than 0.1 m deep, although this behaviour has not been confirmed.

Potential shallow refuge depth in trout-affected reaches: Less than 0.1 m, based on an unconfirmed predator-avoidance observation

  • Do not remove protective cover unless authorised and supported by a species-specific management plan.
  • Inspect for introduced trout and other non-native fish before and after works that alter barriers or flow paths.
  • Keep sediment, ash, fire retardants and construction contaminants out of refuge pools and shallow riffles.

Threats: Predatory and competing fish

The main risks are introduced predatory fish, fire and climate-driven low flows, habitat degradation, altered hydrology and disease. Small, isolated populations have limited ability to recolonise after local losses.

Brown trout and rainbow trout are major threats through predation, competition and restriction of movement. Trout have contributed to fragmented Galaxias populations, and the species is generally absent from upper reaches where introduced predators prevent persistence. Redfin perch occur alongside the species in parts of the Delegate and Bombala rivers, although direct impacts on roundsnout galaxias have not been documented.

  • Do not stock or move trout or other non-native fish into occupied or potential habitat.
  • Maintain effective natural or artificial barriers where they prevent predator incursions without creating unacceptable fragmentation.
  • Inspect barriers after floods, fires and construction because damage can allow salmonids to enter upstream habitat.
  • Use aquatic hygiene and fish translocation controls to prevent spread of non-native fish and pathogens.

Threats: Clearing, construction and sediment

Timber harvesting, agricultural activity, earthworks, livestock access and riparian clearing can increase erosion, turbidity, sedimentation and nutrient runoff. Sediment can smother food, refuge and spawning habitat, fill pools and alter channel form.

  • Maintain vegetated protection zones along the full drainage network, including wet and dry channels and headwater drainage lines, where the species occurs.
  • Fence or otherwise control livestock access to stream banks where stock are causing damage.
  • Keep spoil, sediment, concrete washout, fuels, chemicals and other pollutants out of waterways and overland flow paths.
  • Design crossings and in-channel works to maintain fish passage, avoid isolating pools and prevent flow diversion around structures.
  • Inspect erosion and sediment controls after rainfall and repair failures promptly.

Threats: Fire, drought and climate change

Fire can increase water temperature, sediment loads and nutrient inputs, reduce dissolved oxygen, remove riparian shade and create barriers through post-fire sediment movement. Drought can dry habitat, create new barriers, reduce spawning and recruitment and isolate small populations. Following the 2019 to 2020 fires, a 34 percent population decline over the next three generations was predicted.

Predicted decline after 2019 to 2020 bushfires: 34 percent over the next 3 generations

  • Map known occurrences and likely habitat for fire planning and emergency response.
  • Avoid directing fire retardants, foam or contaminated runoff into occupied streams.
  • Retain shade, riparian vegetation, pools and coarse substrates during fire recovery and construction planning.
  • Monitor occupied reaches after fire, intense rainfall and prolonged low flow for fish survival, habitat condition and predator incursions.

Threats: Disease and hydrology change

Roundsnout galaxias have been recorded with anchor worm and parasitic flatworm cysts. River regulation can alter flow, temperature, habitat, food webs and fish movement, particularly in the Snowy River catchment. Pathogen effects on populations remain poorly understood.

  • Prevent transfer of water, sediment, equipment or live fish between catchments unless approved biosecurity procedures are followed.
  • Manage dewatering, diversion and reinstatement so fish are not stranded in isolated pools.
  • Assess changes to low flows, barriers, water temperature and downstream sediment movement before altering crossings, dams, culverts or river regulation structures.
  • Use qualified aquatic fauna personnel for fish salvage where works cannot avoid occupied water.

Survey methodology: 1. Electrofishing

Roundsnout galaxias is a small, non-migratory freshwater fish found in clear, slow to moderately flowing creeks and rivers in the Snowy and East Gippsland catchments of New South Wales and Victoria. Surveys must focus on wetted habitat, refuge pools and connected reaches, not terrestrial habitat alone.

Use backpack electrofishing in suitable reaches, including pools, glides, riffles, backwaters and remnant pools during low flow.

Survey clear to moderately flowing water between 0.1 and 0.6 metres deep, where practicable. Include reaches with bedrock, cobble, coarse sand, timber debris, rocks and overhanging or aquatic vegetation.

Use experienced, authorised operators and follow the relevant state fish survey, animal ethics and electrical safety requirements.

The available survey guidance identifies electrofishing as a suitable method, with surveys generally undertaken from January to May. It provides no species-specific detection probability or minimum electrofishing effort.

Record the surveyed reach length, width, depth, flow, water temperature, dissolved oxygen, turbidity, substrate, cover, fish captured and effort in minutes or person-hours.

Recommended timing: January to May, based on the available post-disturbance survey guidance

Typical habitat: Clear, slow to moderately flowing creeks and rivers, generally 0.1 to 0.6 metres deep and 10 to 12 metres wide

Species size: Usually 45 to 70 millimetres, with a maximum recorded length of about 80 millimetres and weight of 3 grams

Survey methodology: 2. Fyke nets

Use fyke nets as a supplementary method in suitable pools and slow-flowing reaches where state approvals and animal welfare requirements allow.

Set nets so that fish cannot become stranded if water levels fall, and check them at intervals suitable for local conditions, temperature and animal welfare requirements.

Record the number and type of nets, mesh size, soak time, location, water depth, weather, flow and all captured fauna.

The available survey guidance lists fyke nets for this species and gives January to May as the survey period, but provides no species-specific trap-night requirement or detection probability.

Method listed in survey guidance: Fyke nets

Species-specific trap effort: No minimum trap nights or detection probability are provided

Survey methodology: 3. Targeted reach and refuge surveys

Survey the full area that could be affected by a project, including upstream and downstream reaches where works may alter flow, sediment movement, barriers or access to refuge pools.

Include shallow margins used by juveniles, deeper pools preferred by adults, spaces between rocks and cobbles, remnant pools and areas with timber or overhanging vegetation.

Undertake additional checks after rain, fire, sediment movement, dewatering or sudden flow changes where safe to do so, because these events can alter refuge habitat and fish passage.

Use environmental DNA only where a validated method and suitable reference database are available. A fish eDNA result that cannot distinguish roundsnout galaxias from other Galaxias species should not be treated as a confirmed species record.

The 2022 survey guidance reports no estimates for single-visit detection probability or minimum survey effort. Survey design should therefore be set by a suitably qualified aquatic ecologist and justified in the fauna management plan.

Important microhabitats: Deeper pools for adults, shallow bank margins for juveniles, remnant pools, and spaces between rocks and cobbles

Known density range: Less than 0.1 to 1.5 fish per square metre in published habitat records

eDNA limitation: Unresolved Galaxias detections may not identify roundsnout galaxias to species level

Survey methodology: Minimum effort and reporting

Prepare a survey plan that states the reach length and area, number of surveyors, electrofishing minutes, net numbers and soak times, dates, weather, flow and water quality conditions.

Survey all potentially affected aquatic habitat and suitable retained habitat upstream and downstream of the works, rather than relying on a single observation or a desktop model.

Record positive and negative results, survey limitations, fish size classes, photographs where permitted, GPS locations and any trout, redfin, carp or other non-native fish detected.

Submit confirmed records and relevant survey data to the relevant state wildlife or biodiversity database, including the NSW BioNet Atlas or Victorian Biodiversity Atlas as applicable.

Report any newly identified subpopulation, dead fish, fish injury, salmonid incursion, barrier failure or substantial habitat change to the project ecologist and the relevant state agency.

Before habitat disturbance: Avoid and minimise

Treat all suitable freshwater habitat within the species range as potentially occupied unless targeted survey demonstrates otherwise. The species occurs in small, fragmented subpopulations, and all known populations are considered important for maintaining genetic diversity.

  • Keep works out of occupied reaches, remnant pools, shallow margins, rocky refuge areas and connected upstream and downstream habitat wherever practicable.
  • Retain natural flow, pool and riffle sequences, bedrock, cobble, coarse sand, timber debris, bank vegetation and overhanging vegetation.
  • Prevent sediment, concrete washout, fuels, chemicals, fire retardants and other contaminants from entering the drainage network.
  • Do not remove, breach or alter natural or artificial barriers that currently restrict trout and other non-native fish unless the approved conservation design specifically requires it.
  • Maintain fish passage within retained habitat and avoid creating new barriers through crossings, culverts, temporary dams, dewatering structures or sediment deposits.
  • Maintain vegetated protection zones along the stream drainage network, including wet and dry channels and headwater drainage lines, in line with the approved project controls.

Before habitat disturbance: Approvals and work planning

Conservation status: Endangered under the EPBC Act and in Victoria

Breeding period: Generally spring to early summer, although timing varies between catchments

Generation length: Estimated at 2 to 4 years, with a best estimate of 3 years

  • Check whether the action is likely to have a significant impact on this EPBC Act Endangered species and refer the action under the EPBC Act where required.
  • Obtain all relevant NSW or Victorian fish, wildlife, waterway, vegetation clearing, threatened species, water extraction and animal ethics approvals before survey, capture, relocation, dewatering or construction.
  • Prepare a species-specific aquatic fauna management plan covering survey, salvage, dewatering, sediment control, fish passage, handling, relocation, incident response and reporting.
  • Schedule in-channel works for the lowest-risk period identified by the aquatic ecologist, while recognising that spawning generally occurs in spring to early summer and that spawning sites for this species are not confirmed.
  • Stage works so that water is retained in connected refuge areas and fish can be salvaged before any isolation, dewatering or channel disturbance.
  • Consult Traditional Owners and relevant NSW, Victorian, waterway, fisheries, land management and fire authorities during planning.

Before habitat disturbance: Site preparation

  • Complete the approved pre-clearance aquatic survey immediately before works, particularly before dewatering, isolation, sediment removal, bed disturbance or removal of instream cover.
  • Mark exclusion areas around occupied reaches, refuge pools, retained riparian vegetation, fish passage structures and any other habitat identified by the aquatic ecologist.
  • Install exclusion fencing, silt controls and clean water diversions where they will protect habitat without blocking fish passage or stranding fish.
  • Inspect all temporary crossings, culverts, pumps, screens, cofferdams and barriers before use and after high flows.
  • Remove or control trout and other non-native fish only under an approved plan and by authorised personnel. Do not introduce or stock non-native fish into occupied or proposed translocation catchments.

During habitat disturbance: Daily controls and machinery coordination

The fauna spotter catcher must work as part of the aquatic works team. Mechanical plant must not enter or disturb wetted habitat until the approved fish salvage and water management controls are in place.

  • Hold a daily pre-start briefing covering occupied habitat, exclusion zones, dewatering sequence, fish salvage, clean water diversion, spill response and stop-work triggers.
  • Keep plant, fuels, concrete, spoil, sediment stockpiles and washdown areas outside the drainage network and protected riparian zones.
  • Use clean equipment and prevent transfer of sediment, water, fish, eggs, pathogens and aquatic weeds between catchments.
  • Keep machinery out of the channel wherever practicable, and use designated crossings that do not crush pools, cobble beds, woody cover or bank margins.
  • Have the aquatic ecologist or authorised fauna handler inspect each isolated section before pumping, excavation, rock placement, piling, trenching or bed disturbance.
  • Use screened pumps and maintain enough water depth and flow to prevent fish injury, overheating, deoxygenation or stranding.

During habitat disturbance: Fish handling and relocation

Adult and juvenile habitat: Adults generally prefer deeper pools, while juveniles gather in shallow water near banks

Spawning information: Spawning sites are unknown; eggs are inferred to be adhesive and associated with rocky substrates

Handling limit: No unapproved person may capture, handle or relocate the species

  • If roundsnout galaxias is found, stop the immediate activity and notify the site supervisor, aquatic ecologist and fauna spotter catcher.
  • Only personnel authorised under the relevant approval, licence and animal ethics arrangements may capture, identify, handle, hold or relocate fish.
  • Minimise handling time, keep fish in clean, aerated water from the capture site, avoid temperature shock and do not mix fish from different catchments unless the approved translocation plan allows it.
  • Relocate salvaged fish to nearby suitable retained habitat within the same connected population or catchment, unless an approved conservation translocation plan specifies another site.
  • Do not move fish across a barrier, catchment or state boundary without the required approvals and disease and genetic management controls.
  • Record capture and release locations, numbers, size classes, condition, water quality, holding time, person responsible and any mortality.
  • Send injured or moribund fish to the nominated aquatic wildlife veterinarian, rehabilitation provider or relevant government authority under the project fauna management plan.

During habitat disturbance: Habitat features and stop-work triggers

  • Protect pools, riffles, cobble and rock cover, timber debris, overhanging vegetation, bank margins and any water retained between rocks or cobbles.
  • Stop work if fish are found in the active work area, if water becomes visibly turbid or contaminated, if dissolved oxygen or water depth falls to a level specified in the approved plan, or if fish become stranded or distressed.
  • Stop work after a spill, pump failure, barrier failure, uncontrolled discharge, sudden flow change, sediment release or discovery of trout or another non-native predatory fish in the protected reach.
  • Stop work if a temporary crossing, culvert, screen, cofferdam or exclusion structure blocks fish passage, traps fauna or fails during a flow event.
  • Inspect the work area after rainfall and before restarting, remove hazards under the direction of the aquatic ecologist, and repeat salvage if habitat has been re-isolated.
  • Photograph and record the location, time, activity, fauna observed, controls applied, person making the decision and corrective action for every stop-work event.

After habitat disturbance: Completion checks

Post-work controls must confirm that fish were not stranded, habitat remains connected and water quality is suitable. Monitoring should continue where works have altered flow, bed structure, riparian cover or access by non-native fish.

  • Inspect all dewatered areas, pump sumps, cofferdams, temporary channels, culverts and downstream pools for stranded or injured fish before demobilisation.
  • Remove temporary barriers, pipes, screens, spoil and sediment controls only when the aquatic ecologist confirms that removal will not release sediment or allow non-native fish to enter occupied habitat.
  • Restore natural or approved flow paths, pool connections, bed levels and fish passage at crossings and temporary work areas.
  • Check that retained pools, rocky cover, timber debris, bank margins and overhanging vegetation have not been buried, removed or isolated.
  • Maintain erosion, sediment and spill controls until the site is stable and the risk of sediment movement into the waterway has passed.

After habitat disturbance: Monitoring and reporting

Fire and sediment response area: Fire-related aquatic impacts may extend up to 80 kilometres downstream of burnt areas

Monitoring priority: Track abundance or suitable index measures, habitat condition and non-native predator presence

  • Undertake post-work fish surveys where required by the approval or fauna management plan, using the same reach and effort records as the pre-work survey so results can be compared.
  • Monitor fish presence, size classes, habitat condition, flow, water temperature, dissolved oxygen, turbidity, sediment deposition and the integrity of barriers or exclusion structures.
  • Inspect after high rainfall, fire, flood, drought or other events that could create sediment slugs, remove cover, change flow or allow trout to enter the reach.
  • Report deaths, injuries, failed controls, new barriers, salmonid detections, habitat loss and unexpected species records to the relevant approval authority and state database.
  • Retain survey sheets, GPS data, photographs, permits, animal handling records, water quality results, incident reports and corrective actions in the project environmental records.

After habitat disturbance: Offsets and corrective action

  • Apply any offset, environmental compensation or rehabilitation measure required by the EPBC Act approval, state approval or project condition.
  • Where works have caused unexpected habitat loss or a decline in a subpopulation, implement the approved corrective action before further disturbance proceeds.
  • Use any new population, habitat or threat information to update the species management plan and notify the relevant conservation agency.

Rehabilitation actions: Restore aquatic and riparian habitat

Rehabilitation should restore cool, connected freshwater habitat and reduce access by trout and other non-native predators. The aim is to retain or increase suitable pools, shallow margins, rocky refuge, spawning substrate, riparian shade and stable flows.

Habitat substrates: Bedrock, coarse sand, pebble, gravel and silt occur in occupied streams, with rock, timber debris and vegetation providing cover

Riparian function: Shade and vegetation help maintain water quality, cover and stable stream banks

  • Reinstate a natural or approved sequence of pools, glides, riffles and shallow margins, with depths and flow conditions suitable for the species where practicable.
  • Use locally appropriate native riparian plants to restore shade, bank stability, overhanging cover and interception of sediment and runoff.
  • Retain or replace suitable rocks, cobbles, bedrock features and coarse substrates, and place timber debris only where it will not create an unsafe blockage or prevent fish passage.
  • Prevent livestock access to rehabilitated banks with fencing or other approved controls where grazing is degrading habitat.
  • Remove weeds and stabilise exposed soil using methods that do not release sediment, chemicals or propagules into the waterway.
  • Do not create new fish passage pathways for trout, redfin, carp or other non-native fish.

Rehabilitation actions: Predator, fire and drought management

  • Inspect rehabilitated reaches for trout, rainbow trout, redfin and other non-native fish before declaring the area suitable habitat.
  • Maintain effective natural or constructed barriers where they protect roundsnout galaxias, while ensuring that barriers do not create harmful fragmentation within the native population.
  • Include the species location and rehabilitation area in fire risk plans and provide occurrence maps to fire authorities where permitted.
  • Protect refuge pools and groundwater-supported reaches during drought, and prepare salvage or temporary captive maintenance plans for subpopulations at high risk of drying or extirpation.
  • Avoid fire suppression chemicals, sediment releases and post-fire runoff entering occupied or rehabilitated reaches.

Rehabilitation actions: Monitoring and success measures

Translocation review period: Evaluate translocated populations after three generations

Species generation length: Estimated at 2 to 4 years, with a best estimate of 3 years

  • Monitor the rehabilitated reach annually, or at the frequency required by approval, for roundsnout galaxias presence, abundance or agreed index, size classes and recruitment.
  • Measure habitat condition, pool persistence, water temperature, dissolved oxygen, turbidity, sediment deposition, riparian cover and fish passage.
  • Monitor trout and other non-native predator presence annually, including after fire, flood or barrier damage.
  • Treat rehabilitation as successful only when the agreed performance measures are met, the site remains connected and suitable habitat persists through relevant wet and dry periods.
  • Use genetic advice for any reinforcement or translocation, and conduct translocations only under approved plans with salmonids absent or excluded from the receiving site.
  • Review results after at least three generations for translocated populations, consistent with the conservation advice.

Sources