|
Australia: Scientists Concerned Over Plight of Spotted Handfish |
| August 3, 2004 |
 | The tiny spotted handfish, seen here with eggs, is one of Tasmania's most critically endangered marine fishes.
Photo: B. Bruce |
The World Conservation Union (IUCN) is calling for immediate action to preserve one of the most unusual marine creatures found off the coast of Tasmania.
The spotted handfish (Brachionichthys hirsutus) is a small and slow-moving fish species that uses its pectoral and pelvic fins to ‘walk’ rather than to swim. The species is endemic to the lower Derwent Estuary and its bays and channels, meaning that its is found nowhere else in the world. It occurs in only three small colonies of less than 200 adult fish each.
In 1996, spotted handfish became the first marine fish species to be listed as endangered by the Commonwealth, following their listing under Tasmanian Fisheries legislation the year before. In the same year, it was listed as Critically Endangered – the top threat category – on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, the world’s most authoritative source of information on animal and plant species facing extinction.
The exact cause of the dramatic decline of the spotted handfish is unknown, but it is likely due to the modification of its native habitat. Human-induced factors such as increased sediment loading, heavy metal contamination, urban effluents and the introduction of Pacific sea stars may have contributed to an imbalance in the local environment. An impending canal development proposal that appears to involve the dredging and disturbance of marine sediments has scientists concerned.
“Heavy metals from the development site may disrupt the two known colonies in the Derwent estuary, which will pose an unacceptable threat to the species,” said Mark Green, who leads the CSIRO (Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization) spotted handfish recovery effort.
Christine Milne, IUCN Regional Councillor for Oceania, has called for the release of a five-year Recovery Plan and the allocation of adequate funding to conduct the research, toxicity trials, survey work and public awareness needed to secure the species. The 2002-2006 Spotted Handfish Recovery Plan has been with the Commonwealth for the past two years but has yet to be implemented.
Concerns have also been expressed to the Tasmanian government, which shares responsibility to protect the species in light of the impending canal development proposal, So far, the relevant surveys and toxicity tests have not been undertaken.
“Tasmania is home to this wonderful and highly endangered marine creature, but it is likely that it will disappear before Tasmanians come to appreciate its unique features,” said Milne.
Source: Vancouver Aquarium Marine Science Centre
|
