Document ID: chunk:federal_register_of_legislation:F2016L00300:body:0:p23
Version: federal_register_of_legislation:F2016L00300
Segment Type: other
Provision Reference: 
Character Range: 81389–89029

considered and the most effective/viable monitoring method is identified.   DotE
                                                                                                                                                    * Ongoing monitoring plans are developed for each species.                                                                                                                                     DPIPWE
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   HRG
4e  Conduct regular, ongoing monitoring to determine population trends, at all known and newly identified sites, for all handfish species.   1      * Spotted handfish colonies at known sites within Derwent Estuary and D'Entrecasteaux Channel are monitored at regular intervals:                                                              Research community  $135 000 pa
                                                                                                                                                -          annual monitoring at Battery Point and Sandy Bay, and                                                                                                                                   DotE                (monitoring of spotted handfish at Battery Point and Sandy Bay)
                                                                                                                                                -          biannual monitoring of other identified extant populations.                                                                                                                             DPIPWE
                                                                                                                                                    * All identified populations of red handfish and Ziebell's handfish are monitored regularly (minimum biannually) and results are reported to DotE and DPIPWE.                                  HRG                 $20 000 per site (monitoring of spotted handfish at other identified sites)

                                                                                                                                                    * Population trends for each species are assessed at each site and reported annually/biannually (depending on monitoring regime) to DotE and DPIPWE.                                                               $800-1600 per site per day (for monitoring identified red and Ziebell's sites)
                                                                                                                                                    * Decreases in the number of mature individuals at any site, for any species, are immediately reported to DotE, DPIPWE and the HRG.
                                                                                                                                                    * A central repository for reporting all handfish observations, such as the NVA, is identified.

Strategy 5 - Increase understanding of habitat preferences and threats to habitat for spotted, red and Ziebell's handfish
Research actions
Action  Description                                                                                  Priority  Performance Criteria                                                                                                                                                                    Responsible Parties         Indicative Cost
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   *priority 1 only
5a      Develop methods for assessing habitat integrity for all handfish species                     2             * Habitat characteristics are mapped at all locations surveyed for spotted handfish, red handfish and Ziebell's handfish, and all habitat currently used by each species is mapped

                                                                                                                   * Habitat data is analysed for each species to identify characteristics shared between occupied sites.

                                                                                                                   * Characteristics that represent optimal and suboptimal habitat are understood for each species.

                                                                                                                   * Habitat characteristics that may prohibit colonisation by handfish are identified for all species.
5b      Map available habitat and identify threats to habitat for all handfish species.              2             * Existing areas of optimal and suboptimal habitat are mapped for all species.                                                                                                      DPIPWE
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       Research community
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       Volunteer dive groups
                                                                                                                   * The presence/absence of any habitat-related limitations to breeding is documented for all locations where handfish are observed.

                                                                                                                   * Impacts on areas of optimal habitat are identified.
                                                                                                                   * Sites with poor habitat conditions are reported to the HRG.
5c      Improve understanding of potential threats impacting upon survival of all handfish species.  2             * The tolerance limits of spotted handfish in relation to key water quality parameters are identified.                                                                              DPIPWE Research community   -
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       Volunteer dive groups

                                                                                                                   * The effects of reduced water quality on spotted handfish survival and reproduction are assessed.

                                                                                                                   * Potential threats are recorded for all sites surveyed for red