In This Issue

SAVING FRESHWATER FISHES AND HABITATS Newsletter of the Freshwater Fish Specialist Group Issue 1 • • March 2013

In this issue

Introducing FFSG Regions: Southwest Asia

Iraqi Endemic Cave Fishes Typhlogarra widdowsoni and Caecocypris basimi

From Sea to Source – An International Move- Deadline for submitting material for the first edition of 2013 ment for the Restoration of Fish Migratory The deadline for submittingis 18th January material 2013 for the next issue is the Highways 6th May 2013 Hot springs – Biodiversity hotspots

From the Chair of the Freshwater Fish Specialist Group

Professor Gordon McGregor Reid

Impressum I have long believed that freshwater life is emotionally ‘cosmic’, as I am sure all of our FFSG UPDATE readers do. One does not enter the arena of freshwater fish conservation without a high 4 FFSG Programme Officer Temporary Personnel Change degree of emotional engagement. However, I was struck by a recent newspaper article in 5 FFSG Annual meeting 2014 Editor-in-Chief the Sunday Times speculating on the possibilities that freshwater life is literally cosmic; and 6 Introducing FFSG Regions: Southwest Asia Gordon McGregor that “fish-like” creatures might be found on Europa, one of Jupiter’s four main moons. Reid At the February, 2013, meeting of the American Association for the Advancement of NEWS FROM AROUND THE WORLD Science in Boston (http://www.aaas.org/meetings/2013/) Robert Pappalardo (a space 12 Iraqi Endemic Cave Fish on the Very Edge Typhlogarra scientist at NASA) reported on a vast ocean on Europa, a super-chilly -162ºC at the widdowsoni and Caecocypris basimi Managing Editor surface. This seems to have all the necessary conditions for life - at least in its great depths, away from the poles and closer to the moon’s hot magnetic core. While Pappalardo discusses 14 Positive Steps for Conservation of the Vendace (Core- Katalin Csatadi gonus albula), the U.K.’s Rarest Freshwater Fish the prospects for algae-like micro-organisms, Richard Greenberg, a professor of planetary 16 From Sea to Source. International Guidance for the Res- sciences at Arizona University has calculated potentially life-supporting levels of oxygen in the depth of this ocean and is quoted as supposing that it could be home to some 3 million toration of Fish Migration Highways Design tons of “fish-like” creatures! So, who knows, in the eons to come maybe we will eventually A European Hotspot Biodiversity – from CR to Extinct 19 Katalin Csatadi establish an interplanetary branch of the FFSG – but hopefully before the deep-sea an- in the Wild gling clubs get there! In the meantime, we will need to remain focused in this issue on Planet 21 Freshwater Fish Assessments Planned for Peru Earth and the ever-present conservation challenges that we find there, especially in environmentally extreme or variable habitats such as hot springs, estuaries, caves and arid deserts. OPINION As ever, I am grateful to our membership for contributing these fascinating and pertinent 22 ‘After the Future’ Correspondance articles from all around the world. Please keep them coming! In conclusion, I should men- tion that Kati will be off on maternity leave from the 14th March and, in the interim, Suzanne Turnock will provide office cover based at Chester Zoo. We wish Kati well and also warmly welcome Suzanne to this new, temporary role.

Click here to join us on Facebook for news on Image on front page: Gordon freshwater fish conservation! Nymphaea lotus thermalis © Jörg Freyhof Become a member of the Freshwater Fish Specialist Group! You can now sign up online by clicking on this link.

2 3 FFSG Update

FFSG Programme Officer Temporary Personnel FFSG Annual meeting 2014

Change The next FFSG Annual Symposium has been preliminarily scheduled for the 11-14 April 2014. Dr Katalin Csatadi, Programme Officer of FFSG will The meeting will be held in Mexico and FFSG’s Regional Chair for Meso-America, Professor start her six months long maternity leave in the middle Topilitzin Contreras MacBeath took on the duties of the main organizer. Those who know Topis of March. She and her herpetologist husband are ex- also know that this will be an un-missable FFSG meeting so please save the date and make sure pecting their first baby for the end of March. Miss Su- you attend our next symposium! zanne Turnock was recruited for the duration of the maternity leave as interim Programme Officer. Her The preliminary programme and the invited speakers will be announced throughout this year. biography is below and she can be contacted on the [email protected] address. Please contact her with any FFSG related issues in the next six months.

Miss Suzanne Turnock Suzanne studied for a B.Sc. in Wildlife Conservation at Liverpool John Moores University, and went on to obtain an M.Sc. in Primate Conservation from Oxford Brookes University. Follow- ing university, Suzanne built up her experience by working with various conservation organisations on a voluntary basis, including the Sumatran Orangutan Society, the Great Apes Film Ini- tiative and Wirral Environmental Network. During her volun- teer work, Suzanne gained valuable experience, particularly in fundraising, publicity and event management.

After working as a Primatologist for Operation Wallacea in Honduras for the 2010 field season, Suzanne joined Chester Zoo as Research Assistant. Working as Research Assistant for the past two and a half years, she has worked on a range of projects with a variety of species, from giant otters to jaguars to Humboldt penguins to Chilean pudus! Her work has not only focused on carrying out scientific research but she has also played a key part in revamping the zoo’s research review processes, writing the science webpages and designing the annual review reporting on the scientific activities at Chester Zoo.

Suzanne is now looking forward to bringing the skills and knowledge she has developed in her previous positions to the role of Programme Officer and is very excited to be covering Kati’s maternity leave over the next six months.

4 5 Introducing FFSG Regions Southwest Asia

and Oriental Realms. A brief look at generally agreed-upon There is no the palaeogeographic history of SW definition of South-West Asia, also Asia will allow us to better under- known as the “Middle East”. stand the composition of its present- For the purpose of the day freshwater fish fauna. From FFSG, SW Asia includes the Precambrian to the Palaeogene, the following states the Afro-Arabian continental block (in alphabetical order): formed a continuous plate. Up to the Bahrain, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Lower Miocene, the Tethys Sea separated Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Africa and Arabia from Europe and Asia. Oman, Palestine, Qatar, Following the collision of the Arabian Plate Saudi Arabia, United Arab with Eurasia during the Middle Miocene (ca 15 million years ago) Emirates, Syria, Turkey and and the subsequent formation of the Middle Eastern land bridge, the region was colonised by Yemen. a mixture of fish species originating from the three continents. Many new species evolved in the transition area. Semi-arid to arid conditions prevail since the formation of the Afro-Arabian South-West Asia lies at the desert belt during the Upper Miocene and the land bridge became a faunal ‘filter’. This allowed junction of Europe, Asia and some species to migrate among the three biogeographic realms, but formed an effective barrier Africa. On a global scale, it is for others. The Tertiary faulting between Africa and Arabia resulted in the formation of the Red the only transition zone be- Sea rift, finally separating the Arabian Peninsula from Africa. tween three major biogeographic units: the Palaearctic, Afrotropical 6 7 The Tigris-Euphrates, which drains through the Shatt al-Arab into the Persian Gulf, is the Region’s Israel, which is geographically part of the region is not a member of IUCN’s Regional Office for largest river system. Other freshwater ecosystems include rivers of all sizes, wadis (riverbeds with Western Asia, but joined the Office for Western Europe instead. seasonal, intermittent stream flow), natural and artificial wetlands. Typical features of the region are endorheic drainage basins. These are closed systems that do not drain to the ocean through A first attempt to bring together freshwater fish taxonomists and conservationists from through- rivers or via diffusion underground. out the region was made during the Middle Eastern Biodiversity Congress held in 2008 in Aqaba, Jordan. Freshwater ichthyologists met at a symposium on inland water fishes and discussed the Despite a general scarcity of freshwater in many parts of the region, more than 300 indigenous following issues: species of freshwater fishes of Palaearctic, Afrotropical and Oriental origin are known to occur in SW Asia. The number is substantially higher, if species of marine origin which occasionally or • Opportunities for the establishment of a regional Middle Eastern freshwater fish specialist regularly enter inland waters are included. With increasing aridity since the upper Miocene, frag- group, supporting the IUCN-SSC group on freshwater fishes; mentation of inland water bodies resulted in the isolation of fish populations. This engendered • Taxonomy, systematics and phylogeny of Middle Eastern freshwater fishes: what do we speciation processes and a high degree of endemism at the population, species and genus levels. know, what are the knowledge gaps? Freshwater fish families occurring in the region include: Cyprinidae (with by far largest number • Needs and opportunities for research and documentation; of species), Nemacheilidae, Cobitidae, Siluridae, Clariidae, Bagridae, Sisoridae, Mastacembelidae, • Conservation priorities, above all with regards to raising awareness, upgrading legislation Salmonidae, Esocidae, Acipenseridae, Chanidae, Clupeidae, Percidae, Cichlidae, Mugilidae, Ather- and enforcement, improving regional cooperation and establishing captive breeding programmes; inidae, Cyprinodontidae, Gasterosteidae, and Gobiidae. • Opportunities to place freshwater bodies under protective management

Many fish populations are very small, coping with harsh environmental conditions, such as pro- The group agreed upon a need to seek cooperation with government agencies, research institu- nounced seasonal changes in water levels, river flow, salinity and temperature regimes. Natural tions and NGOs. It recommended a web-based information system on the fish fauna to be built drought is aggravated by climate change and human-induced threats. Many fish populations are up gradually. A need to summarise the taxonomic information available on the region and to facing multiple threats and several species have already been eradicated, others are at the verge of develop identification keys in the regional languages was identified as a prerequisite for educa- extinction. Throughout the Middle East, there is a multitude of threats to freshwater ecosystems tion and conservation. The group also pointed out the need to establish Key Biodiversity Areas and biodiversity. Habitat destruction is the most serious single cause of aquatic biodiversity loss. modelled on those completed for birds. Captive breeding of endemic fish species was highlighted Deforestation, hunting, overgrazing and degradation of rangelands have continued for millennia as a top priority. It was decided to compile a list of experts on fishes, who will be able to identify in this region of ancient civilisations. In recent decades, threats from urban and industrial develop- specimens and provide literature sources. ments and pollution have increased at an alarming speed. Water abstraction poses a very serious threat to the region’s fragile aquatic biodiversity; and so too damming, the construction of channels This meeting was complemented by another and other alterations of watercourses. Major conservation issues are a lack of awareness, weak legis- symposium entitled “Towards a Mesopotamian lative frameworks, frag- Headwaters to Oceans (H20) Biodiversity Initia- mented environmental tive”. For the first time representatives from all management approach- riparian countries of the region’s largest river sys- es, inadequate regional tem discussed how to translate national biodiver- cooperation, and a se- sity assessment programmes into a basin-wide vere lack of supporting initiative. research data. There is an urgent need to follow up on these ini- South-West Asia is also tiatives, as far as this is possible given the current Garra mamshuqa Krupp, 1984 known as a region of conflicts in the region. political and military conflict, with severe effects on freshwater ecosystems. These conflicts also hamper regional cooperation and trans- Carasobarbus apoensis boundary conservation © Banister & Clarke 1977 initiatives. For example, 8 9 Fareed Krupp Chair of the FFSG Southwest Asia Region

Dr Fareed Krupp is an aquatic biologist specialising in fish research and environmental management in the Middle East. 1985: Ph.D. University of Mainz on systematics and biogeography of Middle Eastern freshwater fishes; since 1984 editor of “Fauna of Arabia”; since 1987 Curator of Fishes at Sencken- berg Research Institute and Museum of Nature in Frankfurt, Germany. From 1991 to 2002 based in Saudi Arabia, managing regional marine conservation projects in the Persian Gulf (with the European Commission) and the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden Region (with UNDP); since 2011 Director of the Natural History and Science Museum in Doha, Qatar.

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News from Around the World

tively impact on the environmentally sensitive blind fish populations dwelling in the area of the Iraqi Endemic Cave Fish on the Very Edge: sinkhole. At this locality only Typhlogarra exist, according to our own recent observations and those of Typhlogarra widdowsoni and Caecocypris basimi local informants. No specimens from the enigmatic endemic genus Caecocypris have been seen recently. Furthermore, Typhlogarra are now quite rare. They had previously been very abundant in Omar F. Al-Sheikhly1 and Jörg Freyhof2 1Department of Biology – Collage of Science – University of Baghdad, alsheikhlyomar@gmail. the sinkhole based on the last survey of 30 years ago. From the inaccessibility of the subterranean com; 2Leibniz Institute of Freshwater Ecologyand Inland Fisheries, [email protected] environment it is difficult to determine absolute population numbers; and whether or not both species are still present in other places in the underground karst system. Nonetheless, the situation The Sheik Hadid Shrine sinkhole, near Haditha Township in the western bank of Euphrates River is clearly far worse than that reported earlier. On the basis of available information, both species in the western desert of Anbar province, holds two endemic species of troglomorphic cyprinids, must now be categorised as Critically Endangered on the IUCN Red List. Typhlogarra widdowsoni and Caecocypris basimi.

The Leibniz Institute of Freshwater Ecology and Inland Fisheries in Berlin and the Department of Biology at the University of Baghdad have conducted a short field survey to determine (for the first time in 30 years) the status of these two species in Anbar province in western Iraq. The team’s findings were quite discouraging. There had been once two places with water around Ha- ditha from where cave fishes have been recorded: Sheik Hadid Shrine sinkhole N 34°10’57.71” E 42°22’11.80” and Haqlaniya valley E 34° 5’28.32” E 42°21’56.30”. Locals even reported that there had been once seven additional places. Now, all but one, Sheik Hadid Shrine sinkhole have been found to be dry.

The situation of Sheik Hadid Shrine sinkhole is evidently deteriorating. The water is over-ab- stracted from the sinkhole by local farmers for irrigation and other direct use by locals in settle- ments nearby. To prevent access the local authority of Haditha constructed a concrete cover over the sinkhole opening sometime between 2007 and 2009. Locals report that the water level at the sinkhole is substantially reduced compared with the earlier situation. This is very likely to nega-

Inside the sinkhole of Sheik Hadid Shrine in Haditha west of Anbar, Iraq. The water drainage pipes and the surveying team fishing inside the sinkhole. © Ali Haloob 2012.

The Iraqi Blind Barb Typhlogarra widdowsoni. © Jörg Freyhof 2012.

12 13 their environments, consider- Positive Steps for Conservation of the Vendace able and targeted efforts have (Coregonus albula), the U.K.’s Rarest Freshwater Fish been made in recent years to conserve vendace through Ian J. Winfield 1*, Colin E. Adams 2, Colin W. Bean 3, N. Cameron Durie 4, Janice M. the protection and improve- Fletcher 1, Andrew R. D. Gowans 4, Chris Harrod 5, J. Ben James 1, Alex A. Lyle 6, Peter ment of their habitats and S. Maitland 7, Caroline Thompson 8 & Eric Verspoor 9 the establishment of refuge populations. The latter has 1 Centre for Ecology & Hydrology, Lancaster Environment Centre, Library Avenue, Bailrigg, Lancaster LA1 been achieved by the trans- 4AP, U.K. 2 University of Glasgow, Glasgow, U.K. 3 Scottish Natural Heritage, Clydebank, U.K. 4 Environment location of eggs and young Agency, Penrith, U.K. 5 Queen’s University, Belfast, U.K. 6 ALP, Longniddry, U.K. 7 Fish Conservation Centre, Haddington, U.K. 8 Fisheries Research Services, Pitlochry, U.K. 9 University of the Highlands and Islands, In- in compliance with IUCN verness, U.K.* Author for correspondence ([email protected]) guidelines running from 1997 to the present. These The vendace (Coregonus albula) is a medium-sized and typically lacustrine coregonid of northern activities have resulted in the Europe. It has habitat requirements including relatively low water temperatures, high concentra- successful establishment of a tions of dissolved oxygen, and spawning areas free of fine sediments. In addition, vendace feed population in Loch Skeen of extensively on zooplankton throughout their life cycle and the changing availability of this prey south-west Scotland derived from the now extirpated Bas- Derwent Water of the English Lake District, home to the U.K.’s last frequently drives highly variable population dynamics. surviving native population of vendace (©Andrew R. D. Gowans) senthwaite Lake population. In the U.K., the vendace is Further translocation attempts for the extant Derwent Water vendace population are in progress protected under national na- at three other sites in England and Scotland. ture conservation legislation and appears on the U.K. List Public awareness of the conservation of this species, which is the U.K.’s rarest freshwater fish, has of Priority Species and Habi- also been actively promoted through numerous forms of meetings and media, including prime- tats of the U.K. Biodiversity time national television. All aspects of this conservation work, which has involved substantial and Action Plan. Nevertheless, sustained collaborative efforts between eight organisations, were recently reviewed by Winfield et two former populations in al. (2012). south-west Scotland were lost many years ago and un- Reference til recently the species per- sisted in only two U.K. lakes, Winfield, I. J., Adams, C. E., Bean, C. W., Durie, N. C. Fletcher, J. M., Gowans, A. R., Harrod, C., i.e. Bassenthwaite Lake and James, J. B., Lyle, A. A., Maitland, P. S., Thompson, C. & Verspoor, E. (2012). Conservation of Derwent Water in the English the vendace (Coregonus albula), the U.K.'s rarest freshwater fish. Advances in Limnology 63, Lake District of north-west 547-559. An adult vendace (© Centre for Ecology & Hydrology and Freshwater England. However, although Biological Association) Derwent Water has retained its natural mesotrophic conditions and the status of its vendace population is acceptable, monitoring at Bassenthwaite Lake has failed to record any vendace since 2000 and the species has now been declared locally extinct.

It is not difficult to see potential reasons why the vendace has not been faring well. Bassenthwaite Lake has experienced considerable problems arising from eutrophication, sedimentation and the unauthorised introduction of fish species including the cyprinid roach (Rutilus rutilus) and the percid ruffe (Gymnocephalus cernuus). These two species give concern over possible food com- petition and egg predation and have more recently also been introduced to Derwent Water. In addition to the robust and extensive monitoring of the fish communities of these two lakes and 14 15 and quality of rivers and lakes. Worldwide, this has led to declines in the populations of many From Sea to Source. International Guidance for species of migratory fish - and in some few cases to the extinction of species. In Europe, there is certainly widespread environmental degradation. In other parts of the world dam projects in the Restoration of Fish Migration Highways the largest river basins have had an even more profound impact. The construction of major dams Peter Gough1, Peter Philipsen2, Peter Paul Schollema3, Herman Wanningen4 continues apace and in the Amazon and Mekong new dams are being installed at a progressively 1Environment Agency, Wales, 2Nature at Work, The Netherlands, 3Regional Water Authority faster rate. This negatively impacts on the free-passage of fishes upstream and downstream to Hunze & Aa’s, The Netherlands, 4Wanningen Water Consult, The Netherlands spawn and feed. It also threatens the livelihoods of artisanal fishermen. Tens of millions of people depend on such subsistence fisheries for their protein source. Migratory fish; a special group! Sharing best practices on fish migration FROM SEA TO SOURCE is a volume resulting from various partnerships with fisheries profes- sionals all over the world. They have been drawn together for a major new publishing initiative on Migratory fish the theme of fish migration. There is an increasingly recognised need for the preservation and res- must be able toration of freely-flowing riverine pathways for all species of migratory fish. Migratory fish are well- to move freely known to us all, whether it’s a meal of smoked salmon – now more available than ever – or a rare taste between the of caviar from the increasingly threatened sturgeon. Or perhaps migrations have become familiar different habi- through TV images of a grizzly bear as it waits patiently to catch a salmon as it leaps during its jour- tats that sustain ney upstream? them. For the For many millions more iconic of people world- species such as wide the seasonal salmon and eel, migrations of fish this requires are an essential demanding mi- protein-rich food grations to the source which also upper reach- provides eco- es of rivers nomic and cultur- to complete al benefits. Migra- their life cycle. tory fish stocks However, it are a vital compo- can be argued nent of river eco- that all fresh- systems. Their of- water fish migrate: whether it is short-term movements for feeding or long distance migrations ten complex life within the great rivers of the world or down to the sea for reproduction. And all fish are therefore cycles place great vulnerable to the proliferation of barriers and obstacles and to the negative impacts of pollution demands on river and drought. If fish are to survive and prosper, they must have free and safe passage between the managers. We seek ways to ensure the wellbeing of our fish stocks at a time of increasing pressure habitats they use - from sea to source. on rivers and on the natural water cycle. Migratory fish are amongst the most demanding of fish, We believe that we have encapsulated the important issues – societal, ecological and subsistence requiring free migration routes and often high standards of environmental quality. In this way, - in this book. We have brought together fish migration experts from every relevant continent, migratory fishes are potent indicators of the health of our rivers, estuaries and coasts. each of whom has direct practical experience of the issues and challenges. Their experience is represented in more than 40 examples illustrating the needs, and solutions for the preservation Habitat degradation and blocking migration routes of fish migrations. The book gives an up-to-date overview of fish migration issues and technical solutions worldwide. It targets scientists, water managers and policymakers working in the field of Over the past millennium, humans have increasingly manipulated rivers to provide water for a fish migration; but also members of the general public with an interest in the well-being of our range of uses including potable supply, agriculture, navigation, power generation and the cooling environment. The guidance and examples aim to inspire you to consider, address and prioritize of engineering installations. These various enterprises have damaged the ecological connectivity fish migration solutions within a river basin perspective.

16 17 River basin management and fish migration A European Hotspot Biodiversity: from CR to As we compiled the book, we learned that the same familiar issues arise repeatedly in each continent. There is a central and continuing issue in an inadequate understanding of fish and fisheries Extinct in the Wild ecology. There has been a naive general assumption among non-scientists and politicians that Jörg Freyhof whatever is done will have no damaging, long-term effects on river ecosystems. There has also Leibniz Institute of Freshwater Ecologyand Inland Fisheries been the persistent prioritisation of utility and economics above environmental factors. Today, in the 21st century the tide is turning in most parts of the world and the emphasis is increasingly on There are only a very few hot springs in Europe - but most hold threatened species. The most famous the restoration of river basin environments. This is often because of the substantial ecosystem European hot spring is the so called Baile 1 Mai close to the Romanian city of Oradea. Here, hot water services that we now realise that they provide. The Water Framework Directive in Europe is a of >35°C discharges in quantity from the ground and supports an extraordinary biodiversity. One fa- good example of river basin planning on a large scale. But elsewhere the proliferation of river mous taxon from this place is the endemic water lily subspecies Nymphaea lotus thermalis (which is close- commissions, ensuring the integrated management of the many cross-boundary rivers of the ly related to the Af- world, is strong evidence of more mature thinking and planning. The rivers of the world support rican N. lotus). Its many aspects of human lives, and it is of paramount importance that their wellbeing is taken into occurrence in the hot account, alongside the underlying integrity of the ecosystems. For many people, the wellbeing and spring, the only na- productivity of fish populations is the most obvious illustration of river health. This is why an tive site in Europe, is improved understanding of migratory fish behaviours is more important today than ever before. interpreted as a relict Without migration some species are destined to become extinct. That is the tenet of this book, from warmer times; and we hope that it will contribute to the restoration of fish migratory pathways around the world. and this hypothesis is well supported by Free download fossil remains. The same holds true for You can download the book at www.fromseatosource.com. If you have troubles with the down- the endemic fresh- load link you can fill in the contact form on the website and a dropbox link will be send to you. water snail, Melanop- The book can also be ordered as a hard-copy. sis parreyssii. This species is known from A special thanks goes out to all our sponsors and contributor. Without them this book could not the fossil record to have been much have been made. more widespread in Nymphaea lotus thermalis © Jörg Freyhof Europe in the Pleis-

tocene; and it has evidently secured a last warm refuge in the spring. There is also a cyprinid fish species endemic to the hot spring: Scardinius racovitzai. This is one of only three fish species endemic to Romania. The snail and the fish are IUCN Red List assessed as Critically Endangered. The site is a special legally-protected area and a designated IUCN reserve. However, in reality this has very little effect on the security of the biota. The hot spring is in a popular recreation centre, situated in a public park area, with many tourists and visitors. I first visited the site in 1998 to search for the endemic fish. At that time both the fish and snail populations were abundant. However, there were already signs of potential environmental degradation from the impact of large-scale recreation and bathing infrastructures, albeit in a poor state. This snail is known to have once been abundant in the site but between 1980 and 2001 a very severe decline in the size of the population was observed. The site was some years ago fenced-off to prevent further habitat degradation and population declines of the snail and fish. Returning to the site in Autumn 2012 provided something of an unpleasant shock to the investigator. The water level of the spring has dropped drastically and large parts of previously inundated shore- line had become dry. Only a very few Lotus plants were present, the endemic fish had vanished and the snails were very few in number. No thermal discharge was evident and the water was cold to the touch. The reasons for this dramatic change were clear when approaching the site. The recreational 18 19 and bathing infrastructures had been rebuilt and massively expanded, partly with EU support. For an update, readers should search the internet using the terms “Baile Felix” or “Baile 1 Mai”. This describes the excessive numbers of ‘users’ of the thermal springs. The hot water needed for recreation is now piped directly from the ground, apparently illegally. Hence no hot water is left for the unique spring biodiversity. The Oradea Museum has rescued a number of snails and fish and placed them in their laboratory facilities. They hope to at least develop an ex-situ programme and there is the longer- term prospect of reintroductions. I am sure that we wish them all success in this noble endeavour!

Freshwater Fish Assessments Planned for Peru

Roberto Reis Pontifical Catholic University of Rio Grande do Sul

The Peruvian Ministry of Environment promoted a technical meeting on December 14 and 15 in Lima, to discuss and plan the assessment of extinction risk of their freshwater fishes. Freshwater Fish Specialist Group vice-chair for South America Roberto Reis was invited by the Peruvian government to par- ticipate. He gave a talk on how the Brazilian Chico Mendes Insti- Scardinius racovitzai © Jörg Freyhof tute for Biodiversity, an organ of the Ministry of environment, is facing the challenge of assessing over three thousand freshwater fish species. Vice-chair Reis also presented a talk on IUCN Categories and Criteria for Extinction Risk Assessment for the audience, formed by Pe- ruvian ichthyologists and technical staff of the Ministry of Environment.

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Opinion

provide more talking heads. They are endemic, living only in small, isolated, because once an organism is listed as endan- shallow springs that bubble up from the Great gered, legislation kicks in and it becomes sub- ‘After the Future’ Australia’s endangered species record is noth- Artesian Basin in central western Queensland, stantially harder to act. If you’re trying to save ing to be proud of, and as Flannery succinctly an unusual habitat they share with a range of a fish, but there’s a possibility of inadvertently Correspondence points out, the credibility of a modern, wealthy snails, shrimp, flatworms, plants and other fish. injuring an endangered bug in the process, democracy is certainly compromised if it can’t The problem is simple. Many years ago anoth- prepare yourself for a lengthy period of sitting Adam Kerezsy even care for the species it shares the continent er small fish, gambusia, was introduced from on your hands while bureaucrats deliberate. Bush Heritage Australia with. My experience of trying to provide that the United States in an effort to combat malar- Reducing this time, and reducing the number care for the last four years has taught me that, ia, the theory being that it would eat mosquito of referrals, permits and agreements, is neces- I understand why Australian environmentalist quite apart from the ecological difficulties, our larvae and rid the continent of mozzies. Al- sary if we are to have a chance of saving some Tim Flannery’s exasperated. He’s been banging multiple levels of government can act as hand- though this exercise was a spectacular failure, of our most at-risk species. The legislation is on about the problems with Australia’s envi- brakes on an already ponderous vehicle. the species has endured, has radiated through- not intrinsically bad; it’s just more applicable to ronmental past and future for twenty years, but out Australia, and is capable of wiping out the developers and mining companies than con- as people buy their flash cars or put deposits In After the Future Flannery endorses and natives. Gambusia give birth to live young (as servationists. A great way to improve it would on their oversized mansions, they seem less en- describes the not-for-profit Australian Wild- opposed to eggs), which may give them a com- be to introduce the concept of intent – if a gaged than ever. Are we still eating our future? life Conservancy (AWC), because he sits on petitive advantage, or it could just be that they company wants to make a profit but their ac- You bet – and also mining, fishing, logging, the board of directors and is familiar with the invade in such massive numbers that the na- tions are likely to have an adverse impact on an farming and developing it as never before. work being done at their properties. There tives don’t have a chance. Whatever the exact endangered species, make them jump through Flannery is exceptional among scientists for as- is another conservation not-for-profit of a mechanism, gambusia presence leads to red- the hoops. But if they want to conserve or suming leadership roles well beyond academic similar size in Australia called Bush Herit- finned blue-eye extirpation, and the invasive restore populations of an endangered species circles. He’s also never been afraid to say what age Australia (BHA), founded by Bob Brown, species is already present in many springs close for the greater good, the agency charged with he thinks. which I work for as an aquatic ecologist. The to the last populations of red-finned blue-eye. looking after the same endangered species two companies are similar – they are donor- During the next big flood it could all be over. should make the process easy. Perhaps societal apathy has increased because, supported, own property portfolios and form Red-finned blue-eye could become another despite the atypical career of Tim Flannery, partnerships with landowners. The general vertebrate that only exists in museums – an- Flannery is spot on about the EPBC Act. The science itself is still steeped in tradition. Peer- idea is to preserve Australia’s biodiversity and other thylacine or toolache. federal agency charged with administering the reviewed work takes – at a minimum – the best augment the existing national reserve system. Act has no money to throw at the recovery part of a year to go from data to a published My work with BHA provides a good case In 2009 we began working on how to recover effort, and it is so far behind with recovery paper, and this is still the currency by which study of the lumpy legislation that throws populations of the endangered species. By us- planning that most of the plans are way out the profession transacts. The rest of society is roadblocks in front of those trying to help ing a chemical that kills fish it was theoretically of date before they’re adopted. The red-finned happy for debate and policy to clip along far species that are about to go extinct. The work possible to remove gambusia from selected blue-eye plan prepared in 2007 still hasn’t been more rapidly. Most boffins won’t stick their revolves around a tiny fish – Australia’s rarest, springs. By relocating small numbers of red- adopted, and if we rewrote it using the knowl- heads above the trenches like Flannery, be- the red-finned blue-eye – that is listed as en- finned blue-eye to springs without gambusia edge we have today it would be completely cause newspaper articles and radio interviews dangered under both federal and Queensland it was theoretically possible to increase the different. Flannery’s proposed solution is not don’t cut the scientific mustard. And, as After legislation and also as critically endangered number of populations and spread the risk. bad: a well-informed Biodiversity Authority the Future explains, scientists don’t prove, they by the International Union for the Conserva- But in order to test these techniques we first with financial capacity would certainly be an disprove. When journalists or politicians ask tion of Nature (IUCN). Indeed, in September needed a referral under the federal Environ- improvement. Who would do, or tender for, them for a definitive answer, they scurry back 2012 this diminutive beast was included in mental Protection and Biodiversity Conserva- the recovery work? Ecological expertise is dis- to their labs. In order to re-engage the masses, the IUCN’s book highlighting the plight of tion (EPBC) Act, and then a permit under the tributed among universities, agencies, private we environmental scientists need to become the 100 most endangered species worldwide. relevant Queensland legislation, not to men- companies and not-for-profits. The universities more visible. We need to make our work more And that’s all species, not just fish. There are tion various animal ethics agreements issued by are a good option, but never cheap, and most accessible to non-scientists, and we need to four populations of red-finned blue-eye left. a third agency. Most of the rigmarole occurs academics already carry large workloads. As

22 23 the capacity of state agencies is further eroded The Freshwater Fish Specialist Group is generously by conservative state governments, it is plausi- ble that organisations such as AWC and BHA supported by: may become ecological consultancies. The fact that they do not carry the baggage associ- ated with private companies – which are often perceived to operate at the behest of mining companies and developers – is a plus, as is their ability to harvest the best PhDs and other graduates, especially due to the paring back of the government sector. But therein lies the big- gest problem, for AWC and BHA are not bot- tomless pits and they rely solely on the goodwill of the population to continue their work. They already operate on a shoestring budget compared with agencies, and they already have stretched workforces that are flat-out servicing their internal needs.

So Flannery’s suggestion also raises a few questions. Are Australians generous enough to support and expand the not-for-profit environmental sector into the future? If so, could and should this sector take on some of the conservation activities formerly shouldered by state and federal agencies? Should the goodwill of people who already pay taxes be counted on to FFSG is endorsed by save the endangered species that are – legally – the International Union for the Conservation of Nature Species Survival the responsibility of the states and the nation? Commission and by Wetlands International Could a Biodiversity Authority support these not-for-profit organisations financially, at least to the point of allowing them to retain and expand their staff?

That the current system is a dog’s breakfast Dr Adam Kerezsy is an Australian aquatic ecolo- is accepted by many of us who work on or gist who is an adjunct research fellow with Griffith with endangered species, and also by many of University’s Australian Rivers Institute and works the bureaucrats who try to duck and weave for the not-for-profit Bush Heritage Australia. The their way through the legislation. It needs to following is an edited extract of a reply to an es- be fixed, and the fixing needs to be done by say by Tim Flannery. The original essay (After the a group of people who understand the on- Future) was published in the Quarterly Essay Issue ______Contact ground issues and how these are impacted by 48 in November 2012, and this reply was published Chester Zoo (The North of England Zoological Society) government regulation. If the Biodiversity in the subsequent issue in March 2013. Mail: Caughall road, Upton, Chester, CH2 1LH Authority idea gets up, just give me a ring and Tel: +44 1244 389 758 E-mail: [email protected], [email protected] I’ll be there with bells on. Web: www.iucnffsg.org

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