South‐Western Minor Inlets Fish Habitat 2000 Curdies River, Gellibrand River, Aire River, Barham River, Painkalac Creek, Erskine River, Anglesea River and Barwon River. Geoff Nicholson, Leanne Gunthorpe and Paul Hamer (Editors) February 2009 Fisheries Victoria Assessment Report Series No. 31 South‐Western Minor Inlets 2000 If you would like to receive this Author Contact Details: Geoff Nicholson and Leanne Gunthorpe information/publication in an Fisheries Research Branch, Fisheries Victoria accessible format (such as large PO Box 114, Queenscliff Vic 3225 print or audio) please call the Authorised by the Victorian Government, Customer Service Centre on: 1 Spring Street, Melbourne 136 186, TTY: 1800 122 969, Printed by DPI Queenscliff, Victoria or email Published by the Department of Primary [email protected] Industries. © The State of Victoria, Department of Primary Copies are available from the website: Industries, 2009. www.dpi.vic.gov.au/fishing This publication is copyright. No part may be General disclaimer reproduced by any process except in accordance This publication may be of assistance to you but with the provisions of the Copyright Act 1968. the State of Victoria and its employees do not guarantee that the publication is without flaw of Preferred way to cite this publication: any kind or is wholly appropriate for your Nicholson, G. Gunthorpe, L. and Hamer, P. particular purposes and therefore disclaims all (Eds.) (2009) South ‐Western Minor Inlets Fish liability for any error, loss or other consequence Habitats 2000. Compiled by the Fish Habitat which may arise from you relying on any Assessment Group. Fisheries Victoria information in this publication. Assessment Report Series Report No. 31. ISSN 1329‐7287 ISBN 978‐1‐74217‐385‐6 South‐Western Minor Inlets 2000 ii Table of Contents Executive Summary............................................................................................... 1 Introduction............................................................................................................ 2 Goals, Objectives and Strategies for Maintenance of Fish Habitats .......... 3 Strategic Directions ...................................................................................................................................................3 Strategic goals..........................................................................................................................................................3 Strategic objectives..................................................................................................................................................3 Strategic activities ...................................................................................................................................................3 Policy and Legislative Context ................................................................................................................................3 South‐Western Minor Inlets................................................................................ 4 Background.................................................................................................................................................................4 Characteristics of South‐Western Inlets ................................................................................................................4 Curdies River...........................................................................................................................................................4 Gellibrand River......................................................................................................................................................6 Aire River.................................................................................................................................................................6 Barham River...........................................................................................................................................................8 Erskine River ...........................................................................................................................................................8 Painkalac Creek.......................................................................................................................................................8 Anglesea River ........................................................................................................................................................8 Barwon River.........................................................................................................................................................11 Fisheries of the South‐Western Minor Inlets .....................................................................................................11 Management Responsibilities for South‐Western Minor Inlets.....................................................................12 Stakeholders .............................................................................................................................................................12 The 2000 Assessment .......................................................................................... 15 Aim, Objectives and Strategies of the assessment ............................................................................................15 Aim .........................................................................................................................................................................15 Objectives...............................................................................................................................................................15 Strategies................................................................................................................................................................15 Boundaries of the minor inlets..............................................................................................................................15 Definition of a Fish Habitat...................................................................................................................................15 Methods.....................................................................................................................................................................15 Assessment Methods...............................................................................................................................................15 South‐Western Minor Inlets 2000 iii Key Fish Species and Their Habitat Requirements ..................................... 16 Fish Species in South‐Western Inlets.................................................................................................................. 16 Key Fishery Species and Habitat Links .............................................................................................................. 16 Black bream........................................................................................................................................................... 16 Eel........................................................................................................................................................................... 17 Flathead ................................................................................................................................................................. 18 Flounder (Greenback).......................................................................................................................................... 18 Sea mullet .............................................................................................................................................................. 19 Yellow‐eye mullet ................................................................................................................................................ 19 Mulloway .............................................................................................................................................................. 20 Estuary perch........................................................................................................................................................ 20 Australian salmon................................................................................................................................................ 21 Important Fisheries Habitat .................................................................................................................................. 21 2000 Assessment .................................................................................................. 23 Status of Important Fish Habitat.......................................................................................................................... 23 Pelagic.................................................................................................................................................................... 23 Seagrass ................................................................................................................................................................. 23 Unvegetated sediment......................................................................................................................................... 23 Snags .....................................................................................................................................................................