Document ID: chunk:federal_register_of_legislation:F2016L00300:body:0:p6
Version: federal_register_of_legislation:F2016L00300
Segment Type: other
Provision Reference: 
Character Range: 15188–18293

updated in October 2012 to recognise these taxonomic changes.
The 2005 recovery plan was reviewed in 2013 by an expert panel that included representatives from DotE, DPIPWE, CSIRO, UTAS and DEP. This review noted that, despite limited availability of resources, there had been a sustained effort to implement some recovery actions for the spotted handfish in the Derwent Estuary and recovery plan objectives had been partially met for this species. However, it was noted that limited progress had been made on implementation of the recovery plan actions for red handfish and Ziebell's handfish, with progress limited to resolving taxonomic uncertainties. Furthermore, the review concluded that threats to handfish species remained largely unchanged and known handfish populations had not demonstrably increased in size. The review identified a number of relatively simple actions that could be implemented to boost the survival of the spotted handfish, and recommended that a new recovery plan be developed for the three handfish species. The 2005 recovery plan and the 2013 review of the recovery plan are available from: http://www.environment.gov.au/biodiversity/threatened/recovery-plans/four-species-handfish
Threats to handfish survival vary from species to species. However, principal threats to the three species covered by this plan may include loss of spawning substrate, habitat loss and degradation, water pollution and siltation, the spread of the invasive Northern Pacific seastar (Asterias amurensis) and the cumulative impacts of boating. Other potential threats to these species may include ongoing impacts from recreational and commercial fishing, and the illegal aquarium trade. Climate change is also likely to impact upon handfish as a result of rising water temperatures and increases in the frequency of severe weather events, together with potential increases in the abundance of native species that may degrade handfish habitat or compete for resources.
This recovery plan sets out the research and management actions necessary to stop the decline, and support the recovery, of handfish species in Australian waters. The overarching objectives of this recovery plan are to:
    * ensure an ecologically functional wild population of spotted handfish that, with limited site-specific management, has a high likelihood of persistence in nature, and
    * increase the understanding of the biology and ecology of spotted handfish, red handfish and Ziebell's handfish in order to conserve, and contribute to the future recovery, of each species.
To achieve these objectives a range of strategies will be employed, including the development of a robust, targeted conservation breeding strategy for spotted handfish and the implementation of projects to facilitate the deployment of artificial spawning habitat and the replacement of traditional boat moorings with eco-friendly moorings to improve habitat quality.
Accompanying Species Profile and Threats Database (SPRAT) pages provide background information on the biology, population status and threats to the three listed species of