Application for Scientific Permit - Available for Public Comment
Public comment on the following application for a Scientific Reserach (Fauna) Permit is open until 06 April.
Applicant: University of Tasmania
Species/Taxon: Giant Freshwater Crayfish (Astacopsis gouldi)
Location: Sampling first, second-, and third-stream orders within the Clyde, Great Forester-Brid, Huon, Inglis, King-Henty, Leven, Mersey, North Esk, Ringarooma, and Upper Derwent catchments. Land tenure of the proposed sites includes authority crown, conservation covenant, crown land, future potential production forest (crown), hydro-electric corporation, local government, nature conservation act, permanent timber production zone land, private freehold, public reserve, regional reserve, tas irrigation, tas water.
Title of research: Further studies into the viability of translocated A. gouldi populations
Aim of project: The aims of this project are:
To contrast translocated and native populations of A. gouldi.
To assess whether translocated populations are sympatric with other freshwater crayfish, and hence, have potential impact on these species.
To determine if results from a previous study on translocated A. gouldi populations is accurate.
Justification: A. gouldi is the largest non-marine invertebrate in the world and is an endangered species due to habitat loss and degradation, poaching, and climate change. In several sites around the state, populations of A. gouldi have been illegally translocated outside of their established range. The impact of A. gouldi on pre-existing Astacopsis spp and other organisms in these translocated locations is unestablished. This project aims to establish the appropriate management required for the translocated populations, aiding in species conservation and determining the impacts translocated A. gouldi are having on the recipient ecosystems. Additionally, this project continues previous recent studies in these systems, providing updated population estimates and therefore stronger statistical analyses.
Maximum number of individuals involved: During 2025, a project conducted by the same team detected 17 individuals across all the catchments included. However, water temperatures were low during this period, yielding underestimates of abundance. Additional surveying using the same technique would provide more information regarding crayfish abundance and differences among sites.
Activities undertaken and methods: A. gouldi will be attracted into baited traps, which will then be pulled out of the water. Morphological traits of crayfish will be measured, and then the individuals will be returned to the river system.
Fate of animals: All A. gouldi individuals trapped will be safely released back into the catchment they were trapped in.
Likely impact on species involved (and any bycatch): Traps are open and baited, with low opportunity for bycatch of vagile species. Traps will be supervised for the duration of deployment. In the unlikely event of a crayfish becoming entangled, the mesh of the net will be cut apart to release crayfish.