About the records viewer

The records viewer has been developed to provide public access to information regarding records and distribution of threatened and protected species of fish and marine vegetation held by I&I NSW. The records viewer has been developed by the threatened species unit of I&I NSW and data entry, maintenance and distribution is managed by I&I NSW.

Where does the information come from?

The records displayed through this application are derived from a range of sources including:

• Field survey records by I&I NSW
• Data from specific I&I NSW research projects
• Community sightings from the Protected, Threatened and Pest Species Sighting Program
• Scientific literature and published reports
• Scientific, broodstock and aquarium collection permit returns

How is the records viewer used?

There are 3 steps involved in completing a records search:

1. Select an area to search. The options include Statewide (all of NSW), Catchment Management Authority, or a Local Government Authority. Only one area may be selected at a time.
2. Select a species. Once an area has been selected, the records viewer will generate a list of species for that area. Step 2 involves the user selecting a species from the list. Only one species may be selected at a time.
3. Select a time period. Three options are provided; pre 1980 records, post 1980 records, or all records. Once this step is completed the records viewer will plot the available records on a map and generate a list of the records.

What type of information is available through the records viewer?

The information displayed includes common name, scientific name, water body and year of the record. A link to the species profile is also provided.

Additional information regarding specific records can be provided upon request. This service may be subject to fees and data licence agreements. Contact the threatened species unit on Ph: 4916 3828 for further enquiries.

What are the limitations of the records viewer?

1. The data and records are not comprehensive. The records viewer only displays information owned by I&I NSW. In some cases additional records that are publicly available in the scientific literature are displayed. Users should be aware that other sources of records may exist including museum records. Users will need to make independent enquiry to these organisations for access to their records. 
2. The viewer only displays records of threatened species, populations and ecological communities of fish and marine vegetation, and protected fish (excluding fish protected from commercial fishing). 
3. The records do not indicate entire species distributions, and there may be errors or omissions. The records are limited to NSW, however species may have distributions that extend beyond State borders. To assist in interpreting expected species distribution in NSW, a distribution map is provided for each species selected. For the purposes of complying with threatened species obligations under the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979, consent and determining authorities should have regard to the expected species distribution maps in addition to records of sightings. Information on completing an assessment of significance is included in the Threatened Species Assessment of Significance Guidelines. 
4. The records should not be used to infer species absence. Many waters have not been sampled recently or systematically. Consequently the absence of a sighting record may not mean that a species is absent. Threatened and protected species may have been sampled by another organisation, whose data is not displayed by the records viewer. For the same reasons, the number of sightings records for a given species should not be interpreted as a meaningful measure of abundance. Threatened species are often subject to dedicated study and targeted sampling resulting in higher numbers of records. 
5. The confidence and reliability of records can vary, particularly for community sightings. Many species of fish are difficult to reliably identify. For example Murray Cod and Trout Cod are often confused, and Murray Cod and Eastern Freshwater Cod are difficult to distinguish. Community sightings are often made by untrained individuals, often from memory, at a distance or in difficult circumstances e.g. from moving vessels, while trying to de-hook a struggling fish, in poor light etc.
6. The viewer displays records of threatened and protected fish that may be outside their natural range. Historically many species of fish have been stocked or translocated into waters outside their natural range. As a result, records exist for many species that may appear inaccurate or conflict with the accompanying species distribution maps. For example Trout Cod were historically translocated into parts of the Nepean River system. The legal status and environmental assessment obligations for translocated threatened species remain the same.