Document ID: chunk:federal_register_of_legislation:F2016L00300:body:0:p9
Version: federal_register_of_legislation:F2016L00300
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Character Range: 23686–26541

such as stalked ascidians (Sycozoa sp.), seagrasses, sponges, algae and polychaete worm tubes (DPIWE, 2002). Females guard eggs for 6–7 weeks (Bruce, 1998) until they hatch into fully formed juveniles (Pogonoski et al., 2002). Spawning is from September to October (Pogonoski et al., 2002) and hatchlings settle in the immediate area (Bruce et al., 1997).

3.1.4 Habitat critical to the survival of the spotted handfish
The spotted handfish is currently known from a limited number of sites in the lower Derwent Estuary and the D'Entrecasteaux Channel. The species occurs in benthic (seafloor) environments in association with coarse to fine sand and shell grit or silt (DPIWE, 2002) and is most common in depths of 5-15 meters on the continental shelf, but may have occurred at depths of 1-60 metres (Last and Gledhill, 2009). Given the low number of mature individuals and the extremely limited distribution of the species, all areas in which spotted handfish are found (including those currently known and any new areas identified in the future) represent habitat critical to the survival of the species.

3.2 Red handfish (Thymichthys politus)

3.2.1  Species description and distribution in Australian waters
Red handfish are small, slow moving benthic fish with a relatively elongate and moderately compressed body that tapers towards the tail (Last and Gledhill, 2009). The species grows to at least 136 mm total length and their skin is covered in small, close-set, flattened warts (Last and Gledhill, 2009). There are two primary colour morphs, both dominated by reddish tones. One morph is a uniform vivid red over the body and fin bases with the outer parts of the fins bluish and white; the second morph is a less strikingly mottled pink with extensive reddish patches and spots (Last and Gledhill, 2009).
Red handfish are endemic to south-east Tasmania (refer to Table 2 and Figure 2). They are currently known only from Primrose Sands in Frederick Henry Bay. However, historically the species range extended along the eastern coast of Tasmania.

3.2.2 Population trends
Determining trends in Red handfish populations is difficult because the species is small, cryptic and extremely rare. The largest known population, and the only population currently confirmed, is at Primrose Sands Reef in Frederick Henry Bay. During the 1990s the species was sighted regularly at Primrose Sands (Bruce et al., 1997) however no individuals were located during surveys in 2005 (Gledhill and Green, unpublished). Red handfish have subsequently been observed at Primrose Sands, albeit in low numbers (Gowlett-Holmes, pers comm., 2014; Jacques, unpublished). Historically the red handfish was also known from a number of locations off Port Arthur, the Acteaon Islands and the Forestier Peninsula, with the species being not uncommon in the Port Arthur area in