Document ID: chunk:federal_register_of_legislation:F2017L01040:body:0:p23
Version: federal_register_of_legislation:F2017L01040
Segment Type: other
Provision Reference: 
Character Range: 65224–73011

basis for the long-term management and recovery of the giant freshwater crayfish.
Priority 3:  Action is desirable, but not critical to the recovery of the giant freshwater crayfish or assessment of trends in that recovery.

Strategy 1 – Conduct population trend monitoring and research to assess the current status of the species and evaluate the effectiveness of recovery actions.
  Research/information actions
Action  Description                                                                                                                               Priority  Performance Criteria                                                                                                                                                                               Responsible Agencies and potential partners  Indicative Cost
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            *priority 1 only
1a      Increase understanding of genetic connectivity between giant freshwater crayfish populations and develop effective population estimates.  1             * Genomic research to assess population structure and genetic relationships within and between populations, and increase understanding of movements within the meta-population is undertaken.  CSIRO                                        $75,000
                                                                                                                                                                * Results are analysed to estimate effective population size and survivorship of young.                                                                                                        Research community
                                                                                                                                                                * Research is linked to the ongoing surveys of tagged individuals (as undertaken in Action 1c).
                                                                                                                                                                * Genetic studies are undertaken to determine whether or not the two known colour morphs for the species represent different subspecies.
1b      Collate and analyse existing population data to inform ongoing monitoring strategy.                                                       1             * All existing population data is collated, standardised and analysed to assess population trends, where possible.                                                                             DPIPWE                                       $20,000
                                                                                                                                                                * Population demographics (e.g. age and size class structure, sex ratio etc.) representative of healthy populations are identified.                                                            Research community
                                                                                                                                                                * Results of the data analysis are used to inform monitoring of the giant freshwater crayfish.

On-ground actions
Action  Description                                                                                                                                                                                                                         Priority  Performance Criteria                                                                                                                                                                                                                     Responsible Agencies and potential partners  Indicative Cost
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            *priority 1 only
1c      Conduct regular, ongoing monitoring to assess population trends, including in response to extreme weather events and/or climate change, and determine the reproductive ecology and habitat use of recovering crayfish populations.  1             * Regular monitoring of long-term study populations occurs annually at key locations (identified under Action 3a) and a minimum of every three years at other locations, using a standardised surveying protocol and survey effort.  DPIPWE                                       $50,000 pa
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          * A representative selection of additional sites are nominated for ongoing monitoring, minimum three yearly, with a focus on the inclusion of major catchments in the north-east.                                                    NRM bodies                                   (for a minimum of five years)
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          * Population trends are monitored annually for key locations and, where possible, extrapolated from long-term data for other locations.                                                                                              Research community
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          * Emergency response monitoring is conducted following extreme weather events that may impact upon crayfish, and population trend assessment investigates the impacts of events.
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          * Age and size classes, moult patterns, reproduction and growth dynamics are identified for all monitored populations.
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          * Understanding of the recovery trajectory of monitored populations, and responses to management interventions, is increased.
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          * The behaviour and ecological role, of crayfish in an un-fished population is