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This Action Statement was first published in 1993 and remains current. This version has been prepared for web publication. It macquariensis retains the original text of the action statement, although contact information, the distribution map and the illustration may have been updated.

© The State of , Department of Sustainability and Environment, 2003

Published by the Department of Sustainability and (Maccullochella macquariensis) Distribution in Victoria (DSE 2002) Environment, Victoria. 8 Nicholson Street, Description and Distribution Weir, and originates from translocated East Melbourne, The Trout Cod (Maccullochella macquariensis from the in 1921 and 1922. Victoria 3002 (Cuvier 1829)), is a large, elongate, deep- The Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (CNR) and its This publication may be of bodied fish. They have an overhanging assistance to you but the upper jaw, and usually a dark stripe predecessors have released fish into State of Victoria and its through the eye. Their colouring is Koetong, Hughes, Ryans and Buffalo Creeks employees do not guarantee generally blue-grey with small dark-grey to and the Coliban and Broken Rivers. There that the publication is black spots or dashes on the dorsal surface are also unconfirmed reports of Trout Cod in without flaw of any kind or and upper sides, and light grey to white on a number of waters, including the King, is wholly appropriate for the ventral surface. The maximum recorded upper Ovens, and lower Goulburn Rivers, your particular purposes and Cutting, Narial, Cudgewa, Morses and and therefore disclaims all weight is 16 kg, though there have been Broken Creeks. liability for any error, loss unconfirmed reports of fish twice this size or other consequence which being caught in the past. For a more In NSW, Trout Cod occur naturally in the may arise from you relying detailed description see Cadwallader & from below Yarrawonga Weir on any information in this Backhouse (1983). down to the Barmah Forest. They have been publication. The distribution of Trout Cod is more released into the upper Murray River near restricted than in the past (Cadwallader & Jingellic and Tintaldra, the Murrumbidgee ISSN 1448-9902 Gooley 1984). They were once widespread River near Cooma and Narrandera, and into in the Murray-Darling system, mostly in Talbingo and Cataract Dams. There are the upper reaches (e.g. Mitta Mitta, Ovens, unconfirmed reports of Trout Cod in the King and Goulburn Rivers), though . Trout Cod have also been recorded as far downstream as Mannum in released into Bendora Dam in the ACT. (Cadwallader & Backhouse The habitat of the Trout Cod at 1983, Cadwallader & Gooley 1984). In in Victoria consists of deep pools separated Victoria the only known viable population by sections of fast-flowing waters with steep occurs in Seven Creeks, upstream of Euroa drops and rocky chutes. The substrata between Gooram Falls and Polly McQuinns consist mostly of bedrock, boulders, gravel and sand. Instream cover in the form of woody snags and • the original distribution is not known accurately, since overhanging banks is present (Cadwallader 1979, it was formally recognised as a species separate from Cadwallader & Backhouse 1983, Newall & Mueck 1990). only in 1972 (Berra & Weatherly 1972). The habitat in the Murray River, where the only other The broad range is described in Cadwallader & known viable population in Australia occurs, generally Gooley (1984); consists of deeper, slower-flowing waters, with a mud or • a large proportion of Victoria's streams have been sand substratum. modified (Mitchell 1990), so that it is not possible to determine the conditions Trout Cod require by Conservation Status examining conditions in rivers in which they Current Status originally occurred; and Koehn & Morison (1990) Endangered • As Trout Cod did not naturally occur in Seven Creeks Harris (1987) Endangered in the stretch where they are now found, but were Scientific Advisory Committee (1991) Threatened introduced from a population in the Goulburn River, extrapolation of habitat requirements from this area The Trout Cod has been listed as a threatened taxon may not be very realistic. underSchedule2 of the Flora and Fauna Guarantee Act There are so few Trout Cod remaining in Victoria that they 1988. should not be put at risk by activities likely to result in death or reduced viability. This restricts the types of research possible, Reasons for Conservation Status which in turn limits the amount and type of information that The population size and the distribution of Trout Cod have can be obtained about their requirements. decreased (Cadwallader & Gooley 1984). They were once Potential threats to Trout Cod arise from processes that widespread in the Murray- system, but have damage the aquatic environment, including sedimentation, declined markedly. In Victoria, only 170 fish were found in removal of riparian vegetation and instream habitat, changed an intensive survey of Seven Creeks in 1991 (Anderson flow or water temperature regime, and deterioration in water 1991). quality (e.g. reduction in dissolved oxygen concentration, Angling, introduction of trout, and activities that damage increased turbidity, increased concentration of nutrients and rivers, including sedimentation, dams, and river biocides). A wide range of activities in catchments may cause improvement works (e.g. desnagging and channel these threats. Some of these are clearing, overgrazing, stock modification) are all thought to have contributed to the damage (especially in or near rivers or drainage lines), biocide decline of Trout Cod (Scientific Advisory Committee 1991). spraying, roadmaking, weir or dam cleaning or construction, In its final recommendation, the Scientific Advisory changes in the operation of existing dams, water extraction, Committee (1991) determined that Trout Cod are: runoff from construction sites, fire, and river management • in a demonstrable state of decline which is likely works such as desnagging or channel modification. to result in extinction; Protection of Trout Cod habitat must also take into account • significantly prone to future threats which are activities that occur upstream of the actual stretch of river likely to result in extinction, and inhabited by the fish, including tributary streams. • very rare in terms of abundance or distribution. Trout may pose a threat through predation or other competitive interactions. Major Conservation Objectives Angling for other species of fish in rivers where the Trout Cod The long-term objective is to ensure that the species is occur may result in anglers accidentally hooking Trout Cod. secure and self-sustaining within its former range. Short The difficulty in distinguishing Trout Cod from Murray Cod term objectives are to: may lead to anglers mistakenly killing Trout Cod if angling is • ensure that the population of Trout Cod in Seven permitted in waters where Trout Cod occur. Trout Cod have Creeks is secure, increases or remains stable in been found to hybridise with Murray Cod in Cataract Dam and numbers and/or distribution, and continues to the Murray River in NSW. produce young; • expand the current range in Victoria by Seven Creeks Population establishing breeding populations at other As this is the only viable population of Trout Cod in Victoria, locations within their former range; the entire wild Victorian population could be lost through a • initiate research into the ecological requirements catastrophic event such as a wildfire or toxic spill into the creek of Trout Cod by 1993. or through degradation of the habitat, for example by erosion from the catchment or the stream bed and banks, changed flow Management Issues regime, or a deterioration in water quality. The Seven Creeks population, and thus its habitat, needs to be given a very high level of protection to ensure its safety as far as possible and Ecological Issues Specific to the Taxon reduce risk to an absolute minimum. Protection of the Trout Cod in the wild is difficult because: Changes in the management or use of the creek or catchment • for the most part, its ecological requirements and may affect Trout Cod, and thus should be assessed for tolerances are not known; potential impact prior to implementation. Potential threats

2 include forest clearing in the upper catchment, increased these recommendations over the entire catchment would, water abstraction from Seven Creeks, and cleaning out besides protecting the creeks and Trout Cod habitat, have Polly McQuinns Weir. beneficial effects by reducing soil erosion, and increasing The existing nutrient enrichment of Seven Creeks may productivity of the land in the long term (though it would also threaten Trout Cod, especially in summer when there is require extra work by landholders in the shorter term). little flow (Newall 1990). Measures required to protect Trout Cod in all creeks where it Several natural and artificial barriers in Seven Creeks in becomes established will protect the habitat of other aquatic effect divide the population into several sub-populations. species and communities. Since Trout Cod can move downstream but not back up Care will need to be taken when establishing other populations past these barriers, the upper reaches may eventually be of Trout Cod in relation to the potential for hybridisation with uninhabited by Trout Cod. Murray Cod. The results of a survey in Seven Creeks in 1991 indicate that the population is moving downstream. The largest number Social and Economic Issues of Trout Cod were found in the section two to three As the ecological requirements for protection of Trout Cod are kilometres upstream of Watchbox Creek (Anderson 1991). not well understood, caution needs to be taken with human Downstream movement may be detrimental, as the activities that could result in habitat disturbance. Given the instream habitat downstream of Watchbox Creek is poorer large area of catchment involved, the constraints needed on than it is upstream (Newall & Mueck 1990), and conditions particular activities and developments could be significant, but may not be suitable for Trout Cod survival. If future most human activity probably will not be affected or can be assessment of the habitat reveals that conditions are easily modified to allow for Trout Cod requirements. Activities unsuitable, then translocation of the Trout Cod to other or developments will be treated case by case. suitable locations until habitat has been improved should When assessing activities and developments which may affect be considered. Trout Cod, the long-term implications and cumulative effects Expansion of the population through translocation may be of multiple activities will be taken into account. Estimates of feasible if suitable habitat is found elsewhere (e.g. upstream increased costs and opportunities foregone will be weighed up of Polly McQuinns Weir). The population is small and against the likely negative impact on the Trout Cod and other physically isolated from populations in NSW. It could components in the ecosystem. therefore become, or perhaps is already, genetically distinct Catchment management practices required to protect Trout from other populations in Australia. Cod habitat where creeks pass through agricultural land will benefit landholders in the long term through reduced economic Establishing Other Populations losses associated with improved land management. This is in Trout Cod are being bred in captivity and released into the line with the trend towards whole catchment-management wild, but it is not known how successful this will be, throughout Victoria. In some cases, protecting Trout Cod will because: require faster or more stringent action than might otherwise • The reasons for the decline in the Trout Cod occur to achieve appropriate revegetation, fence frontages, or population are not fully understood, and the other conservation measures. factors which caused their decline could still be Individual landholders may face increased short-term costs if active, so attempts to reintroduce the fish may well the area available for grazing is reduced, fencing has to be fail. provided or modified, or alternative watering points need to be • The re-establishment of sustainable wild provided. Impacts will vary from case to case. populations from bred in captivity is Landholders and others may perceive problems with fire difficult and frequently unsuccessful (Griffith et al. hazards, weed invasion and rabbit harbouring if grazing is 1989, Hopper & Coates 1990). excluded from certain areas. None of the populations that CNR is working towards The fungal disease Pine Needle Blight (Dothistroma) is well establishing have been stocked for long enough to advanced in pine plantations in the Koetong Creek catchment, determine whether they are self-sustaining. A problem may upstream of a site where CNR is attempting to establish a arise in future due to the small numbers of parent stock population of Trout Cod. Copper-based chemical control of from which the new populations are being established. this disease may have adverse impacts on stream systems, particularly by disrupting litter decomposition, a process that Wider Conservation Implications relies in part on aquatic fungi, which are probably susceptible Seven Creeks provides habitat for a large population of to copper-based fungicides. The protection of Trout Cod Macquarie ( australasica), a species listed habitat may require prescriptive changes, such as increased on Schedule 2 of the Flora and Fauna Guarantee Act 1988. buffer strips or no chemical use at all (requiring research into Thus the protection of Trout Cod habitat in Seven Creeks biological control methods). will help conserve . Harvesting methods in the Koetong plantations may need to be Many of the measures required to protect Trout Cod in revised to take into account Trout Cod habitat protection. The Seven Creeks are those recommended in the Seven Creeks stands are even aged, and would normally be harvested over Catchment Project Planning Report to ensure stable, one to two years. To avoid potential changes to hydrology and productive land use (Codd & Wood 1987). Carrying out the risk of erosion and stream sedimentation, harvesting may

3 need to be spread over a longer period and different licences. While not proclaimed specifically to protect Trout harvesting methods may need to be used (e.g. selective Cod, appropriate management of the reserve would help logging, strip thinning). protect Trout Cod habitat. Future proponents of instream works in any streams where Following a fire in the Seven Creeks catchment in December Trout Cod occur will probably be affected, including the 1990, sixteen Trout Cod were captured by Departmental staff Euroa Water Board should it wish to increase water and moved upstream from a badly damaged stretch of creek to abstraction from Seven Creeks or clean out Polly McQuinns a less affected stretch a short distance downstream of Polly Weir. Protecting Trout Cod was one of the considerations in McQuinns Weir. This was to reduce the risk of losing the entire the then Department of Conservation and Environment's population if there was a reduction in dissolved oxygen and refusal of an application to build a dam and modify flows pH in Seven Creeks caused by an input of organic material for a micro-hydroelectricity scheme in Koetong Creek. from the catchment in the next rainstorm. As the translocated There are no existing proposals for instream works in fish were not tagged, it is not known if they survived. streams where Trout Cod occur. CNR regularly surveys the Trout Cod population in Seven The benefits from protecting Trout Cod include the long- Creeks. An intensive survey in March 1991 provided term benefit of catchment and stream protection, and the information on the distribution of Trout Cod between possibility that Trout Cod might again become a species Strathbogie and the Galls Gap Road bridge (Anderson, in available to anglers. The intangible benefits to people prep.). It found that the Trout Cod population was small (170 arising from the knowledge that Trout Cod are being fish were caught), and that most occurred within a 2 to 3 km protected are also important. section upstream of Watchbox Creek, that was the lower limit of the section of Seven Creeks closed to angling at that time. Management Action The section of Seven Creeks closed to angling to protect Trout Cod is regularly patrolled by Authorised Officers of CNR to ensure compliance with the closure. Previous Management Action Seven Creeks Population Establishing Other Populations The Seven Creeks Catchment Project Planning Report A Trout Cod breeding program at CNR's Snobs Creek (Codd & Wood 1987) has been produced. It outlines current Freshwater Fisheries Research Station and Hatchery has been land-use problems in the catchment and how the catchment producing Trout Cod since 1987. can be protected by involving the landholders. Native Fish Australia (NFA) keep and breed Trout Cod, and Implementing this plan would help protect Trout Cod in provide the fry to Snobs Creek Hatchery to augment the stock Seven Creeks by protecting the creek system. The to be released. recommendations from this report have been taken into Trout Cod have been released at six sites in Victoria: account in preparing this action statement. • Hughes Creek near Avenel in September 1988 and The Seven Creeks Catchment Management Group has been 1989, established, and, in consultation with CNR, has performed • Koetong Creek near Koetong in January 1989, January extensive works in the catchment, concentrating especially 1990 and December 1990, on replanting, fencing, and rabbit control. Using funding • Ryans Creek near Mollyullah in January 1988, March provided from a Rural Water Commission Rivers and 1989, January 1990 and December 1990, Streams grant, the stretch of Seven Creeks from Gooram • Buffalo Creek in January and December 1990, Falls down to Galls Gap Road was revegetated, but was • the in January 1991, and later burnt out by wildfires. • the near Swanpool in December 1990. A Trout Cod management plan (Ncwall & Mueck 1990), has Surveys found Trout Cod in Hughes, Koetong and Ryans been prepared as part of a M.Env.Sci. thesis, and its Creeks in 1990, and Hughes Creek in 1992, but none in Buffalo recommendations regarding the critical habitat and Creek in 1992. management of the population in Seven Creeks have been CNR refused an application for construction of a taken into account in preparing this action statement. hydroelectricity scheme on Koetong Creek, upstream of a site The water quality and riparian vegetation in the stretch of where the Department is attempting to establish a population Seven Creeks where Trout Cod occur have been studied of Trout Cod. The presence of Trout Cod was one of the and reported (Mueck 1990, Newall 1990, Newall & Mueck reasons for the proposal being refused, as it was seen as having 1990). This information may be of use in determining the the potential to pose an unacceptable threat to the Trout Cod. range of conditions over which Trout Cod can exist, and in monitoring changes in Seven Creeks over time. Planning The Seven Creeks Wildlife Reserve has been proclaimed. A National Trout Cod Recovery Plan funded by the Australian The reserve is 25 to 30 km long, extending from Galls Gap National Parks and Wildlife Service is being formulated by Road bridge over Seven Creeks (about 15 km from Euroa) CNR, and is expected to be completed in1992. The plan will upstream to Creek Junction (about 14 km upstream of Polly include: McQuinns Weir), and incorporates about 20 metres of land • a review of all current information on Trout Cod, either side of Seven Creeks. Much of the river frontage including identification of the range of environmental within this reserve is leased to graziers under annual conditions which Trout Cod can tolerate (obtained

4 from studying sites in Victoria and NSW where Management of these threats within Trout Cod habitat will be Trout Cod have previously occurred, and where of benefit to Trout Cod. they presently occur), and information on the Murray Cod and Macquarie Perch have also been listed under success of previous stockings; the Flora and Fauna Guarantee Act 1988. The appropriate • a review of propagation and rearing techniques; management of these species is also likely to benefit Trout Cod, • formulation of a stocking strategy (including as their range is very similar to Trout Cod's original range. recommendations on frequency of stocking, ages Macquarie Perch and Murray Cod occur with Trout Cod- to stock, and density); Macquarie Perch in Seven Creeks, and Murray Cod in the • development of a set of criteria to identify waters Murray River. suitable for stocking, and a prioritised list of waters to be stocked; Intended Management Action • management recommendations. Habitat Protection All Sites Legal Controls • Ensure that all catchment and water management Taking, trading and keeping of Trout Cod without agencies in catchments of rivers where Trout Cod appropriate authorisation is prohibited under the Flora and have established viable populations or have been Fauna Guarantee Act 1988, and under the Fisheries Act released are aware of the presence of Trout Cod and 1968 through the Fisheries (Recreational) Regulations 1992. take into account requirements for ensuring their Seven Creeks is closed to angling from Polly McQuinns protection (e.g. River Management Authorities, Weir downstream to the crossing of Galls Gap Road below Catchment Co-ordinating Groups, EPA, RWC, Shire Watchbox Creek under the Fisheries (Recreational) Councils).. Regulations 1992. This is an extension of the closure from • In accordance with Section 66 of the Conservation, Polly McQinns Weir to Gooram Falls that existed before Forests and Lands Act 1987, monitor proposals for 1992. any works or activities in river and their catchments Under Section 66 and Schedule 3 of the Conservation, where Trout Cod have either established viable Forests and Lands Act 1987, water boards and other public populations, or have been released. These will include authorities must submit a plan of works to the Secretary of activities upstream, such as forestry, spraying CNR before building dams, weirs or other structures in or biocides, roading, cleaning or constructing weirs or across watercourses if they could interfere with the passage dams, changing the operation of existing dams, of fish or the quality of aquatic habitat. abstracting water, or removing runoff from construction sites. Any proposals should be fully Community Information assessed for their potential impacts on Trout Cod Infosheet No.27, produced by the Department's Fisheries before they are implemented. CNR will not approve Management Division, explains why Trout Cod are activities which may adversely affect Trout Cod, for protected, and provides a guide for anglers for example through changes to the flow regime, distinguishing between Trout Cod and Murray Cod, which discharge, temperature regime, water quality or are very similar in appearance. instream habitat. Proposals will be assessed by CNR NFA displays Trout Cod each year, along with other fish, at staff who will ensure that the protection of Trout Cod the Melbourne Boat Show, and provides information on habitat is taken into account and will consult with the threats to the species from habitat degradation. Freshwater Ecology Section of the Flora and Fauna Branch if the river system is likely to be affected.. Other Listings • Negotiate with proponents where modifications to Five potentially threatening processes which relate to the works or activities would be required to ensure freshwater environment have been listed on Schedule 3 of protection of Trout Cod.. the Flora and Fauna Guarantee Act 1988: • Develop action plans for dealing with catastrophic • alterations to natural flow regimes of rivers and events such as toxic spills or wildfires which would streams, threaten populations of Trout Cod. Plans may include • alteration to natural temperature regimes of rivers arranging for volunteer assistance where it is and streams, necessary to move Trout Cod. • increase in sediment input to Victorian rivers and streams due to human activities, Seven Creeks • introduction of live fish into waters outside their • Identify all areas within the Seven Creeks Wildlife natural range within a Victorian river catchment Reserve which require action to ensure that the entire after 1770, and reserve has a cover of native vegetation, and that • removal of wood debris from Victorian streams. sediment sources are stabilised. Identify areas The input of toxic substances into Victorian rivers and requiring stock exclusion or management (e.g. streams has received a preliminary recommendation for swamps, riparian zone), as a prerequisite to listing by the Scientific Advisory Committee. negotiating with landholders. .

5 • Initiate actions required in the Seven Creeks • Continue patrolling for anglers along the closed Wildlife Reserve to protect the Seven Creeks section of Seven Creeks. system. . Koetong Creek • Manage the entire Seven Creeks catchment Negotiate with the proposed Plantations Authority to upstream of the Galls Gap Road bridge to ensure determine an appropriate management and harvesting regime that water quality and instream habitat in the in the Koetong Pine Plantations, to avoid threats to Trout Cod. Seven Creeks system does not deteriorate, and Attention must be paid to impacts from spraying biocides for work towards protecting the creek system by: pest control, appropriate harvesting intensity to avoid potential a. protecting remaining catchment vegetation, and changes to hydrology, and management of erosion and stream revegetating where feasible. The riparian zone, sedimentation. swampy areas and any eroding areas should be priorities; Critical Habitat b. identifying and stabilising any sediment sources, • Determine the Trout Cod's critical habitat.. such as eroding banks or swampy areas, erosion • Protect all areas identified as critical habitat. The gullies, or road crossings with inappropriate necessary protective measures will be determined for drainage; each area identified as critical habitat, and will include c. maintaining an unbroken buffer of riparian protecting and maintaining vegetation, stabilising all vegetation throughout the Seven Creeks system sources of sediment for the critical habitat (e.g. erosion upstream of Galls Gap Road, including tributaries gullies, road crossings, damaged river banks) and to Seven Creeks, and creeklines which do not have maintaining the appropriate water quality, permanent surface water flow such as headwater temperature, and flow regime by preventing or creeks. The buffer of vegetation should be 100 m appropriately managing any activities which may wide on each side of the creeks. Where insufficient have. an effect.. public land is available, CNR will negotiate with • Negotiate with landholders or catchment or water landholders with an aim to protecting this width management agencies where they would be affected by appropriate management on private land, by measures required to protect the Trout Cod.. using incentives and assistance schemes where • Encourage the formation of LandCare groups for all possible. Priority should be given to stabilising sites identified as critical habitat to help protect the and replanting the section of the creek between catchments, particularly the riparian zone. Encourage Gooram Falls and Galls Gap Road, as the Trout landholders along frontages to join Land for Wildlife, Cod population appears to be moving and to establish other catchment protection groups downstream and is likely to move into this area. similar to the Seven Creeks Catchment Management d. removing or otherwise managing stock in the Group.. riparian zone to prevent damage to vegetation, soil • LandCare groups may wish to consider developing a erosion, stream sedimentation, and degradation of Code of Agricultural Practice specifying standards for water quality through stock trampling and private land under agriculture, where these are defecatng in the creeks; currently less rigorous than standards for Crown e. controlling rabbits throughout the catchment. Land (e.g. use of biocides).

• Negotiate with landholders when changes to land Establish Other Populations or stock management practices are needed to • Continue Trout Cod breeding program at Snobs protect Seven Creeks or its tributaries.. Creek.. • Continue to support the Seven Creeks Catchment • Maintain close liaison between CNR and NFA with Management Group in working toward protection regard to NFA's Trout Cod breeding program, and of the Seven Creeks catchment, focusing on use fry produced to augment the fish bred at Snob's protection of riparian vegetation, swamps and Creek for release. Continue to work towards springs, and erosion control.. establishing populations in the wild by identifying • Investigate the potential for Trout Cod habitat rivers suitable to be stocked, rehabilitating or downstream of Watchbox Creek, and upgrade the protecting these rivers as required, and releasing habitat if it is too poor to support Trout Cod. Give Trout Cod into them.. consideration to translocating the Trout Cod • Continue to stock Trout Cod in Koetong, Hughs, population from the vicinity of Watchbox Creek to Buffalo and Ryans Creeks and the Broken and Coliban other suitable areas until downstream habitat is Rivers until the four cohorts have been released, then suitable, to reduce risk to the fish should they commence monitoring prior to making further move downstream.. decisions about viability of the sites, and the • Erect sign posts at major access points or other usefulness of stocking as a conservation strategic locations to inform the public of the measure.Liaise with NSW Fisheries Department angling closure in Seven Creeks..

6 regarding Trout Cod populations which they are • Where appropriate, recovery actions should be dealt attempting to establish. with under the State Disaster Plan (DISPLAN) to avoid development of a potentially dangerous Research and Monitoring situation in cases where there is an overall • Hold discussions between CNR Regions where coordinated disaster response. Trout Cod occur, Flora and Fauna Branch, and Fisheries Management Branch to reach agreement Other Desirable Management Actions on monitoring schedules for Trout Cod Seven Creeks Population populations.. • Develop and implement a management plan for the • Monitor stocked populations regularly (on an Seven Creeks Wildlife Reserve, with a major objective agreed schedule) to ascertain whether the fish are being the protection of Trout Cod.. breeding, and to determine distribution and size • Continue to review the Seven Creeks Catchment classes. Use the data to assess whether the sites are Planning Report (Codd & Wood 1987).. worth maintaining as Trout Cod habitat.. • Exclude stock from the riparian zone by fencing. • Monitor the Trout Cod population in Seven Creeks Construct limited stock access points to the water, and annually.. maintain these to prevent erosion.. • Initiate research into the habitat requirements of • Assess potential Trout Cod habitat elsewhere in Seven Trout Cod adults, juveniles, and eggs, with the Creeks, including upstream of Polly McQuinns Weir, priorities being: and consider translocating some individuals if - determining the breeding requirements, such suitable habitat is available. as substrata required to lay eggs, breeding cues, and appropriate sex ratio; Other Populations - determining tolerances of eggs and fry to • If monitoring demonstrates that any introduced water quality parameters, including populations of Trout Cod are breeding, work towards suspended sediment and dissolved oxygen; increasing the area of suitable habitat by protecting - investigating movements of Trout Cod, by riparian vegetation, stream banks and water quality; tagging and monitoring; and by providing any necessary additional instream cover; - collecting water quality and other biophysical and by following any recommendations which arise data from Seven Creeks, to use in detect from research into Trout Cod's ecological changes in water quality, and to identify requirements.. conditions which Trout Cod are currently able • Fence off the riparian zone to exclude stock from any to tolerate. sites where Trout Cod form breeding populations. • Initiate research into factors that would affect stocking success and the development of viable Research and Monitoring populations at new sites, such as territorial • Investigate: behaviour, features affecting size of territories, a. flow velocities at the streambed, including boundary carrying capacity of streams and appropriate layer flows, which may be particularly important for stocking regimes. small fish; b. the Trout Cod's response to perturbations such as Community Education changes in suspended sediment concentration, water • Disseminate information to anglers about the temperature, flow velocity, or discharge; prohibition of taking, trading in and keeping of c. its environmental flow requirements; Trout Cod and on the angling closure in Seven d. the population genetics of the Trout Cod, to determine Creeks, and provide information to assist in whether the population in Seven Creeks is genetically distinguishing Trout Cod from Murray Cod.. distinct from NSW populations; • Produce a threatened species pamphlet on Trout e. the feasibility of constructing fishways which could be Cod, in line with CNR's current threatened species used by Trout Cod in creeks where the populations management series. are likely to be fragmented by steep drops, such as Koetong and Sevens Creeks, and monitor the use of Other any that are constructed; • Finalise and publish the report of the most recent f. the feasibility and usefulness of providing additional survey in Seven Creeks, presently in draft form instream cover, in particular in Seven Creeks from (Anderson 1991).. Watchbox Creek downs to the Galls Gap road • Complete the National Trout Cod Recovery Plan, crossing, and monitor any additional cover to and implement its recommendations.. determine whether it is used; • Develop guidelines for issuing licences to take and g. the effect of Redfin virus on Trout Cod, and whether keep Trout Cod for such purposes as display, Redfin in Seven Creeks carry the virus; research, or breeding.. h. whether Trout pose a threat to Trout Cod.

7 • Monitor the movements of Trout Cod by tagging Natural Resources to take and keep fish which are members of and surveying, and of Redfin in Seven Creeks to a listed taxon or community for the purposes of research, detect whether they have Redfin virus;. breeding, education, exchange with other scientific • Assess whether stocking is a useful conservation organisations, and special management actions where required tool at present, or whether effort should be for conservation management. directed into other areas first, such as developing A licence is being drafted under the Flora and Fauna Guarantee suitable habitat. Act 1988 to allow NFA to keep Trout Cod for breeding, in close cooperation with CNR. NFA holds a permit to keep Trout Cod, Legislative Powers Operating issued under the Fisheries Act 1968. This permit expires in Legislation December 1993. Fisheries Act 1968: Provides for the closure of waters to Licences will only be issued to allow Trout Cod to be displayed fishing, and regulates the taking of fish. The Fisheries for educational purposes subject to close supervision by CNR (Recreational) Regulations 1992 made under the Act or NFA. establish the closure of Seven Creeks to angling from Polly Licences for research by organisations other than CNR will be McQuinns Weir down to the Galls Gap Road bridge assessed individually, and will only be granted if CNR is downstream of Watchbox Creek. Regulation 35 establishes confident that the facilities and expertise are adequate, that the that possessing or taking Trout Cod anywhere in Victoria is research will help the long-term conservation and management an offence. of the species, and that it is unlikely to cause harm to the fish. Flora and Fauna Guarantee Act 1988: provides for listing Trout Cod, preparing the action statement, and determining Consultation and Community Participation the critical habitat. Taking, trading in or keeping Trout Cod Groups consulted outside CNR were Native Fish Australia Inc., is prohibited without a licence under this Act or an Victorian Piscatorial Council and the Council of Victorian Fly authorisation by an Order of the Governor-in-Council. Fishing Clubs. A high-level of community involvement in Water Act 1989: provides for the allocation of water for fulfilling the actions in this action statement is envisaged environmental requirements. through the continued operation of the Seven Creeks Land Act 1958: Provides for the issuing of licences for Catchment Management Group and the formation of LandCare grazing stock on public land. Several water frontage groups in areas determined to be Trout Cod Critical Habitat. licences have been issued under this Act for frontages along The Seven Creeks Catchment Management Group already Seven Creeks. plays an extremely important role in protecting the Seven Crown Land (Reserves) Act 1978: for reservation of Crown Creeks catchment, and thus the Trout Cod population. Land, which may be useful for areas determined to be 'critical habitat'. Implementation, Evaluation and Review Environment Protection Act 1970: for preventing water CNR's Flora and Fauna Branch and Fisheries Management pollution and protecting beneficial uses of river, which Branch will be responsible for implementing the breeding, includes maintaining natural aquatic ecosystems and release and monitoring programs, identifying the Trout Cod's associated wildlife. critical habitat, determining (in consultation with relevant CNR Soil Conservation and Land Utilization Act 1958: provides Regions) the protective measures required, developing and for preventing and mitigating soil erosion and promoting implementing research programs into Trout Cod's ecological soil conservation and proper water management. requirements, developing an action plan for dealing with catastrophic events, determining guidelines for issuing of Relevant Guidelines licences to take and keep Trout Cod, providing advice and Department of Water Resources (1989) Guidelines for the recommendations to Regions where required, and assessing incorporation of environmental water requirements in the status of Trout Cod each year, to determine whether extra planning new water projects. DWR Report No. 48. VGPO, protective measures need to be adopted. Melbourne. The CNR Regions where Trout Cod are released, and those Department of Conservation, Forests and Lands (1989) where the critical habitat occurs, will be responsible for Codes of Forest Practices for Timber Production: Revision informing catchment or water management agencies of the No 1. Department of Conservation, Forests and Lands, presence of Trout Cod, monitoring works and activities within Victoria. these catchments and consulting with Flora and Fauna Branch Department of Conservation and Environment (1990) where required, negotiating with landholders or other groups Environmental guidelines for river management works. effected by protective measures, carrying out works to protect Office of Water Resources, Melbourne. the critical habitat, and working with Flora and Fauna Branch Environment Protection Authority (1991) Construction on determining protective measures within the critical habitat. techniques for sediment pollution control. Publication No. The effectiveness of actions taken to protect Trout Cod in Seven 275. EPA, Melbourne. Creeks will be determined by: • increased or stable numbers of Trout Cod in Seven Licence or Permit Conditions Creeks, A Governor-in-Council Order has been made which allows • increase in Trout Cod range in Seven Creeks between the Secretary to the Department of Conservation and Gooram Falls and Galls Gap Road,

8 • presence of juvenile fish (0+ age class) in Seven Production: Revision No 1. Department of Creeks, and Conservation, Forests and Lands, Victoria. • development of breeding populations of Trout • Department of Conservation & Environment (1990) Cod at release sites, determined by the presence of Environmental Guidelines for River Management Trout Cod at these sites that are too young to have Works. Office of Water Resources, Melbourne. arrived through stocking. • DSE (2002) Atlas of Victorian Wildlife (Electronic The action statement will be reviewed annually by the Fauna Database). Parks, Flora & Fauna, Department Freshwater Ecology Section to evaluate progress made in of Sustainability & Environment, East Melbourne. implementing the intended actions. If the Trout Cod • Environment Protection Authority (1991) population appears to be declining, then the Section, in Construction techniques for sediment pollution consultation with relevant Regions and the Fisheries control. Publication No. 275, EPA, Melbourne. Management Branch, will immediately review all action • Griffith, B., Scott, J.M., Carpenter, J.W, & Reed, C. (1 taken, and determine more appropriate measures to ensure 989) Translocation as a species conservation tool: the protection of the species. status and strategy. Science 245: 477-480. The action statement will be evaluated in 1995 to determine • Harris, J.H. (ed.)(1987) Proceedings of a Conference on whether the actions arc meeting the conservation objectives, Australian Threatened , Melbourne, 15-16 and any necessary revisions will be made. August 1985. Australian Society for Fish Biology, Sydney. Contacts • Hopper, S.D. & Coates, D.J. (1990) Conservation of Management genetic resources in Australia's flora and fauna. Proc. CNR Region, North East Region, Alexandra Region, Ecol. Soc. Aust. 16: 567-577. and Region. • Koehn, J.D. (1987) Artificial habitat increases CNR Flora and Fauna Branch, Freshwater Ecology Section. abundance of two spined blackfish ( CNR Fisheries Management Branch. bispinosis) in the , Victoria. ARI Technical Biology Report Series No. 56, Department of Conservation, CNR Flora and Fauna Branch, Freshwater Ecology Section. Forests & Lands. CNR Fisheries Management Branch. • Koehn, J.D. & Morison, A.K. (1990) A review of the conservation status of native freshwater fish in References Victoria. Vict. Nat. 107: 13-25. • Anderson, J. (1991) Status of the protected • Mitchell, P. (1990) The Environmental Condition of populations of Trout Cod (Maccullochella Victorian Streams. Department of Water Resources, Macquariensis) and other native fish in the upper Victoria. reaches of Seven Creeks, Victoria, in 1991. • Morison, A.K. & J.R. Anderson 1987: Status of Trout Department of Conservation & Environment Cod (Maccullochella macquariensis), Macquarie Perch (unpublished). (Macquaria australasica), and other fish populations • Berra, T.M & Weatherly, A.H. (1972) A systematic in the upper reaches of Seven Creeks based on study of the Australian freshwater Serranid fish surveys between 1981 and 1987. ARI Technical Report genus Maccullochella. Copeia 1: 53-64. No. 59. Department of Conservation & Environment, • Cadwallader, P.L. (1979) Distribution of native and Victoria. introduced fish in the Seven Creeks river system, • Mueck, S.G. (1990) Remnant indigenous vegetation of Victoria. Aust. J. Ecol. 4: 361-385. the Seven Creeks catchment and its importance as • Cadwallader, P.L. & Backhouse, G.N. (1983) A critical habitat for the Trout Cod Maccullochella guide to the freshwater fish of Victoria. VGPO, macquariensis). M. Env. Sci. thesis, Department of Melbourne. Geography & Environmental Science, Monash • Cadwallader, P.L. & Gooley, G.J. (1984) Past and University, Melbourne (unpublished). present distributions and translocations of Murray • Newall, P.R. (1990) Water quality in relation to Cod Maccullochella peeli and Trout Cod M. catchment activities in the Seven Creeks catchment. Macquariensis (Pisces: Percichthyidae) in Victoria. M. Env. Sci. thesis, Department of Geography & Proc. R. Soc. Vict. 96: 33-43. Environmental Science, Monash University, • Codd, P.R. & Wood, J.F. (1987) Seven Creeks Melbourne. Catchment Project Planning Report. Department • Newall, P.R. & Mueck, S.G. (1990) Habitat Evaluation of Conservation, Forests and Lands, Benalla and a Management Plan for the Survival of the Trout Region (unpublished). Cod (Maccullochella macquariensis) in Victoria. M. • Department of Water Resources (1989) Guidelines Env. Sci. thesis, Dept of Geography and for the incorporation of environmental water Environmental Science, Monash University, requirements in planning new water projects. Melbourne. Report No. 48. VGPO, Melbourne • Oswood & Barber (1982) Assessment of fish habitat in • Department of Conservation, Forests and Lands streams: goals, constraints and a new technique. (1989) Codes of Forest - Practices for Timber Fisheries 7(4): 8-11.

9 Compile•r References References (cont.) JuliaMansergh, Reed I.M. (1984) • Scientific Advisory Committee, Flora and Fauna Guarantee Victoria (1991) Final recommendations on a nomination for listing: Maccullochella macquariensis Further information (Nomination No. 4). Department of Conservation & Environment, Victoria. Further information can be • Wesche, T.A. (1975) Stream channel modifications and reclamation structures to obtained from Department enhance fish habitat in Gore, J.A. (ed.) The restoration of rivers and streams. pp. 103- of Sustainability and 164. Butterworths, Stoneham, USA. Environment Customer Service Centre on 136 186.

Flora and Fauna Guarantee Action Statements are available from the Department of Sustainability and Environment website: http://www.dse.vic.gov.au

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