Priorities Action Statement - Draft Actions for Short-tail Galaxias (Galaxias brevissimus)

Advice to consent and determining authorities

Provide information on the distribution of the Short-tail Galaxias to local councils and determining authorities to ensure appropriate consideration during development assessment processes or approval of other activities which may impact this species.

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 the impact of inappropriate fish stocking practices by engaging with recreational fishers, land care groups and broader community.
Continue to collaborate with landholders/ land management agencies to continue rehabilitating key sections of riparian and instream habitat.
Implement education initiatives to improve awareness of the status of Short-tail 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 Short-tail Galaxias.
Encourage community reporting of Short-tail 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.

Following fires, implement management responses where possible to prevent/reduce ash and sediment deposition into streams with post-fire rainfall.
Undertake work to identify, restore and protect known and potential Short-tail Galaxias habitats and address key threats such as habitat degradation and loss.
Undertake habitat protection and/or habitat enhancement works at priority reintroduction sites if required.

Investigate and implement integrated management of introduced species in and adjacent to identified Short-tail 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 Short-tail Galaxias and at potential translocation sites.

Study into the species’ ecology (reproduction, growth, longevity, habitat use, age, movement).
Undertake 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 Short-tail Galaxias recovery including for example, research and monitoring programs.

Explore options/ techniques for production and conservation stocking.
Develop and document procedures for best practice methods for captive breeding, egg and larval rearing.
Development of a detailed translocation plan to undertake translocations for establishment of additional, viable populations to spread extinction risk (reintroduction or assisted colonisation) or to bolster populations (reinforcement).
Undertake emergency rescues of Short-tail Galaxias in response to droughts, pollution, detection of biosecurity threats (e.g. disease or pests), or to avoid other detrimental impacts.
Work with local stakeholders to evaluate fish stocking practices to lessen threat in relation to known subpopulations and potential translocation sites.
Implement the NSW Freshwater Fish Stocking Fishery Management Strategy to prevent significant impacts from stocking on Short-tail 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 catchment surveys to locate additional remnant populations and identify and prioritise reintroduction sites.