Our country, Our future. Tilapia - Stop the Spread Fitzroy Basin awareness campaign 2017

Tilapia (Oreochromis mossambicus) are an aggressive pest fish regarded as one of the greatest threats to ’s aquatic ecosystem. They are a highly successful invasive species due to a number of key characteristics: rapid reproduction with maternal care, adaptable food requirements and tolerance for a wide range of aquatic habitats. Tilapia have progressively established populations in waterways throughout south-east and northern and Western Australia since the 1970’s.

OBJECTIVE An additional partnership was established between FBA, A campaign led by Fitzroy Basin Association Inc. (FBA) Invasive Animals CRC, DAF Qld and in early-mid 2017 Biosecurity Queensland. was driven by a need for awareness of the APPROACH noxious pest fish. The FBA commenced the campiagn through primary components the formulation of a map indicating of FBA’s campaign clear messaging of where infestation focused on identification, is known, and alert areas of where legal obligations infestation may occur next. A core and environmental focus of the campaign began with implications. Following documenting known infestation Severe Tropical Cyclone through e-DNA data and research Debbie, significant to recruit the public to determine flooding impacted if spread had occured following upon the Basin and the extreme weather event. wider Queensland. The The graphic was received with praise from audiences and awareness campaign focused upon providing knowledge to stakeholders, with specific feedback stating that the map was individuals, stakeholders and industry groups in preventing able to succintly communicate databases of information into inadvertant or deliberate Tilapia spread into priority areas relevant and digestable formats. FBA encouraged partners, within the Fitzroy Basin. stakeholders and media outlets to adopt the graphic material and distribute to respective audiences. PARTNERS AND RESOURCES The utilisation of existing partnerships, networks and METHOD previously engaged tilapia management stakeholders Methodology adopted by FBA was multi-faceted and extensive, to establish a surveillance network has empowered FBA beginning with investing in quality training of waterway to make an impact on Tilapia awareness and education. managers. Reporting, identification and management An Industry Information Session was hosted by FBA on were once again the focus points. Production of additional June 13 with invitations extended to all partners and tilapia models/ mounts Production of tilapia video, Media waterway management groups. Involved organisations ,Development of a graphically designed map of current at all levels included Capricornia Catchments, Dawson infestation and alert areas, Installing alert signs at 11 locations, Catchment Coordinating Association, Department of FBA has been heavily promoting the use of Feral Fish Scan Defence, indigenous representative groups, Local and online portal and mobile app, setup to send alerts to DAF Qld, State Governments, Capricorn Pest Management Group, Biosecurity Queensland and FBA whenever tilapia sightings Gladstone Area Water Board, are recorded. This has the potential to allow more Universities, researchers, fish and responsive management options including on- catchment focus groups. ground intervention. RESULTS • including Scrubby Creek, Lake Awoonga, Boynedale, Lake 1761 people from 17 public events and forums shown Callemondah, Tarcoola Drive, Boyne River at Benaraby tilapia models and informed on how to identify and report Bridge, Glenlyon Dr, South Trees Inlet and Calliope River Campgrounds. 16 waterway management professionals provided expert the number of partners involved in training, installing signage or tilapia training distributing information throughout the region the amount of media interest ongoing Expert review of FBA’s implementation 11,750 people reached through FBA’s Facebook post linking strategy for tilapia management. to our tilapia video REFLECTION 300 YouTube views on FBA’s tilapia video Overall, the past 12 months of tilapia project work was highly successful. The culmulative approach adopted by FBA in terms 3 local radio interviews of knowledge is at the forefront of project development. FBA will continue to build upon 1 local Television news Tilapia in the Fitzroy Basin 2017 our current resources interview to adapt to changes into

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Tilapia Survey Location Data (Isaac catchment): © Catchment Solutions Pty Limited 2017. Tilapia Survey Location Data (other catchments): © James Cook University 2017. available, it is recommended Stream Geometic Network Data: CC BY 3.0 AU. © Commonwealth of Australia (Bureau of Meteorology) 2017. Places, Basins, Dams & Weirs, Coastline, and NRM Boundary Data: CC BY 4.0. © Stateof Queensland (Department of Natural Resources and Mines) 2017. Other Dams Data: CC BY 3.0 AU. © State of Queensland (Department of Energy and Water Supply) 2017. Disclaimer: © Fitzroy Basin Association Inc. 2017. In consideration of the Fitzroy Basin Association (FBA) permitting use of this data you acknowledge and that FBA and other key agree that the FBA gives no warranty in relation to the data (including accuracy, reliability, completeness, currency or suitability) and accepts no liability OUTCOMES (including without limitation, liability in negligence) for any loss, damage or costs (including consequential damage) relating to any use of the data. stakeholders invest in The evidence of continuing to determine success in this campaign is tangibly measured through the the extent tilapia have spread but also determine if there is installation of new signs at priority alert areas and public a correlation between certain types of habitats and tilapia engagement online. The interest held by the community prevalence. in assisting to manage our natural assets and prevent further infestation has been resounding and exceeded One area of improvement highlighted to be focuses further expectations. FBA’s public engagement campaign is very upon in future would be to further explain the mouth brooding much ongoing. Opportunities to disseminate information at chracteristics of Tilapia. public events such as Rockhampton Show, Mount Larcom Show, The Rockhampton River Festival and the Fitzroy Barrage Open Day have been well received. Particularly notable is the interest shown by younger generation anglers in their ability to confidently identify Tilapia. In the