Priorities Action Statement - Draft Actions for Kosciuszko Galaxias (Galaxias supremus)

Advice to consent and determining authorities

Provide information on the distribution of the Kosciuszko Galaxias to the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service to protect Galaxias habitat.

Collate existing data on the habitat, abundance and population parameters and identify knowledge gaps for the purpose of targeting future research activities.

Raise awareness of key threats including salmonids and other introduced fish species by engaging with land care groups, tourists and broader community.
Implement education initiatives to improve awareness of the status of Kosciuszko Galaxias and ways to minimise impacts on the species by preparing and distributing appropriate advisory material.
Install signs and/or interpretive displays at appropriate locations to assist with identification and awareness of Kosciuszko Galaxias.
Encourage community reporting of Kosciuszko Galaxias via the NSW DPI Threatened Species Reporting online form.

Maximise compliance activities at identified important sites.
Encourage community reporting of any illegal fishing activities via the NSW DPI Compliance reporting online form.

Undertake work to identify, restore and protect known and potential Kosciuszko Galaxias habitats and address key threats such as habitat degradation and loss.
Undertake habitat enhancement works at priority reintroduction sites if required.

Investigate and implement integrated management of introduced species in and adjacent to identified Kosciuszko Galaxias habitat and take action to prevent the spread of introduced species into these habitats.
Monitor for pest incursions, if present, undertake removal and/or relocation of introduced fish species from streams currently occupied by Kosciuszko Galaxias and at potential translocation sites.

Study into the species’ ecology (reproduction, growth, longevity, habitat use, age, movement).
Population genetic analysis of current and new subpopulations, to inform genetic management of subpopulations and guide captive breeding and translocation plans.
Establish monitoring to track the trajectory of known populations.
Establish physiological tolerances to changes in water temperature and water oxygen saturation as triggers for emergency extraction/relocation of affected subpopulations.
Establish ex situ population(s) for captive management as an insurance against the extinction of the species in the wild.
Actively encourage community involvement in aspects of Kosciuszko Galaxias recovery including for example, research and monitoring programs.

Develop and document procedures for best practice methods for captive breeding, egg and larval rearing.
Development of a detailed captive breeding plan and undertake breeding.
Develop a detailed translocation plan and undertake translocations to establish additional, viable populations to spread extinction risk (reintroduction or assisted colonisation) or to bolster populations (reinforcement).
Undertake emergency rescues of Kosciuszko Galaxias in response to droughts, fires, pollution, detection of biosecurity threats (e.g. disease or pests), or to avoid other detrimental impacts.
Implement the NSW Freshwater Fish Stocking Fishery Management Strategy to prevent significant impacts from stocking on Kosciuszko Galaxias populations.

Carry out surveys to identify new populations of the species (to determine contemporary geographic range), to identify sites suitable for future translocations (predator-free or suitable if predators removed), and potential sites for trout barrier installation.
Undertake surveys to locate additional remnant populations and identify and prioritise reintroduction sites