Document ID: chunk:federal_register_of_legislation:F2016L00300:body:0:p19
Version: federal_register_of_legislation:F2016L00300
Segment Type: other
Provision Reference: 
Character Range: 52552–60449

handfish or Ziebell's handfish and also provide valuable information to help identify long-term population trends.
Priority 2:  Action would provide a more informed basis for the long-term management and recovery of spotted handfish, red handfish or Ziebell's handfish.
Priority 3:  Action is desirable, but not critical to the recovery of spotted handfish, red handfish or Ziebell's handfish or assessment of trends in that recovery.

Photo (left): Spotted handfish (Brachionichthys hirsutus) with unique markings
Photo (right): Female red handfish (Thymichthys politus) guarding eggs

Strategy 1 – Increase spawning success for spotted, red and Ziebell's handfish
Research actions
Action  Description                                                                         Priority  Performance Criteria                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           Responsible Parties  Indicative Cost
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          *priority 1 only
1a      Improve knowledge of spotted handfish spawning triggers.                            2             * Spawning triggers for spotted handfish are identified (e.g. water temperature triggers or seasonal triggers).                                                                                                                                                            Research community   -
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     DPIPWE
1b      Consider options for improving the spawning success of red and Ziebell's handfish.  2             * If threats to spawning substrate are identified (under actions 5a and 5b), potential mitigation measures are investigated (e.g. removal of urchin barrens, oyster mats or filamentous alga proliferations that may be reducing the availability of spawning substrate).  Research community   -
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     DEP
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     DPIPWE

On-ground actions
Action  Description                                                                                                                                                                            Priority  Performance Criteria                                                                                                                                                         Responsible Parties                       Indicative Cost
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                *priority 1 only
1c      Assess the effects of artificial spawning habitat on spotted handfish reproductive output.                                                                                             1             * Spotted handfish use of artificial spawning substrate is recorded, with eggs and subsequent number of juveniles counted after each breeding season.                    Research community                        $90 000 pa
                                                                                                                                                                                                             * Data is analysed to determine effectiveness of artificial spawning habitat for increasing handfish recruitment and results are reported to DotE and DPIPWE.            DPIPWE                                    (three year project)
1d      Design and implement a long-term artificial spawning habitat program and deploy artificial spawning habitat at additional sites to increase the spawning success of spotted handfish.  1             * Key locations for the deployment of artificial spawning habitat are identified (e.g. sites in which availability of natural spawning substrate is a limiting factor).  Research community Volunteer dive groups  $50 000 pa
                                                                                                                                                                                                             * The results of action 1c are used to inform the design of a long-term program for the deployment and maintenance of artificial spawning habitat.                       DPIPWE                                    (three year project for two new sites)
                                                                                                                                                                                                             * Artificial spawning habitat is deployed at additional sites and handfish use of the additional artificial spawning habitat is assessed.
                                                                                                                                                                                                             * The condition of artificial substrate is assessed at yearly intervals after deployment and the average longevity of substrate is determined.

Strategy 2 – Reduce impacts on spotted, red and Ziebell's handfish, and their habitat

Research actions
Action  Description                                                                                                           Priority  Performance Criteria                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    Responsible Parties  Indicative Cost
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     *priority 1 only
2a      Develop appropriate decision support tools and species-specific referral guidelines for coastal/marine developments.