Priorities Action Statement - Draft Actions for Stocky Galaxias

Advice to consent and determining authorities

Provide information on the distribution of the Stocky Galaxias to local councils and determining authorities to ensure appropriate consideration during development assessment processes (High priority).

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

Implement education initiatives to improve awareness of the status of Stocky Galaxias and ways to minimise impacts on the species by preparing and distributing appropriate advisory material (High priority).
Communicate the impact that salmonid invasion upstream of the delimiting waterfall will have on the only known population of Stocky Galaxias (High priority).
Install signs and/or interpretive displays at appropriate locations to assist with identification and awareness of Stocky Galaxias (High priority).
Ensure research findings are publicised and incorporated into catchment management and river health programs where appropriate (High priority).
Encourage community reporting of Stocky Galaxias via the NSW DPI Threatened and Pest Species Sightings Program online form (Medium priority).

Maximise compliance with the ban on collecting Stocky Galaxias by communicating with aquarium enthusiasts using a number of communication mediums (e.g. aquarium industry journals, newsletters, conferences) (Medium priority).

Protect and restore riparian habitat in Tantangara Creek which supports the only known habitat for Stocky Galaxias (High priority).
Ensure Stocky Galaxias conservation requirements are included in fishway programs (Medium priority).

Undertake work to identify, restore and protect known and potential Stocky Galaxias habitats and address key threats such as habitat degradation and loss (High priority).
Actively seek funds through grant schemes or other sources to implement riparian vegetation and water quality improvement projects in priority areas (High priority).
Undertake priority rehabilitation, restoration and enhancement work at Tantangara Creek (High priority).

Investigate and implement integrated management of introduced species in and adjacent to identified Stocky Galaxias habitat and take action to prevent the spread of introduced species into these habitats (High priority).

Actively seek grants or investor partnerships to fund research and monitoring programs for Stocky Galaxias (High priority).
Investigate spawning cues, particularly the influence of river flows (Medium priority).
Investigate distribution, habitat and movements (Medium priority).
Monitor the population at Tantangara Creek over time to assess trends in abundance and distribution and to identify emerging threatening processes (Medium priority).
If other populations are discovered, undertake a genetic assessment of population structure throughout the species’ range (Low priority).
Actively encourage community involvement in aspects of Stocky Galaxias recovery including for example, research and monitoring programs (Low priority).

Undertake emergency rescues of Stocky Galaxias in response to droughts, oil spills/ pollution, detection of biosecurity threats (e.g. disease or pests), or to avoid other detrimental impacts (High priority).
Prevent salmonid stocking into Stocky Galaxias habitat areas, including above the delimiting waterfall which is currently the only natural barrier for invasion to the habitat of the Stocky Galaxias (High priority).
Ensure important populations and locations are protected from stocking of trout (High priority).
Implement the NSW Freshwater Fish Stocking Fishery Management Strategy to prevent significant impacts from stocking on Stocky Galaxias populations (High priority).
Identify potential candidate sites for possible future translocation of Stocky Galaxias (Medium priority).

Survey similar habitat areas to Tantangara Creek to determine if other populations of Stocky Galaxias occur (High priority).
Identify and map important habitat (rivers/locations), particularly for recruitment and as potential drought refuge habitat (High priority).
Collect data on the presence/absence of Stocky Galaxias during incidental surveys (Medium priority).