Corangamite CMA — Significant fish species protection under dry inflow conditions S. Saddlier, T. Ryan and J. Wooley 2009 Arthur Rylah Institute for Environmental Research Technical Report Series No. 198 Arthur Rylah Institute for Environmental Research Technical Report Series No. 198 Corangamite CMA — Significant fish species protection under dry inflow conditions S. Saddlier 1, T. Ryan 2 and J. Wooley 3 1Arthur Rylah Institute for Environmental Research 123 Brown Street, Heidelberg, Victoria, 3084 2Environous Pty Ltd 3Corangamite Catchment Management Authority November 2009 In partnership with: Arthur Rylah Institute for Environmental Research Technical report series No. 198 ii Report produced by: Arthur Rylah Institute for Environmental Research Department of Sustainability and Environment PO Box 137 Heidelberg, Victoria, 3084 Phone (03) 9450 8600 Website: www.dse.vic.gov.au/ari © State of Victoria, Department of Sustainability and Environment 2009 This publication is copyright. Apart from fair dealing for the purposes of private study, research, criticism or review as permitted under the Copyright Act 1968, no part may be reproduced, copied, transmitted in any form or by any means (electronic, mechanical or graphic) without the prior written permission of the State of Victoria, Department of Sustainability and Environment. All requests and enquiries should be directed to the Customer Service Centre, 136 186 or email [email protected] Citation: Saddlier, S., Ryan, T and Wooley, J. (2009). Corangamite CMA — Significant fish species protection under dry inflow conditions. Arthur Rylah Institute for Environmental Research Technical Report Series No. 198. Department of Sustainability and Environment, Heidelberg, Victoria. ISSN 1835-3827 (print) ISSN 1835-3835 (online) ISBN 978-1-74242-338-8 (print) ISBN 978-1-74242-339-5 (online) Disclaimer: This publication may be of assistance to you but the State of Victoria and its employees do not guarantee that the publication is without flaw of any kind or is wholly appropriate for your particular purposes and therefore disclaims all liability for any error, loss or other consequence which may arise from you relying on any information in this publication. Front cover photographs : Dwarf Galaxias Galaxiella pusilla (Rudi Kuiter), Australian Grayling Prototroctes maraena , Australian Mudfish Neochanna cleaveri and Yarra Pygmy Perch Nannoperca obscura (Tarmo Raadik) Authorised by : Victorian Government, Melbourne. Printed by : NMIT Printroom, 77-91 St Georges Road, Preston 3072 Arthur Rylah Institute for Environmental Research Technical report series No. 198 iii Contents List of Tables .......................................................................................................................................v Acknowledgements ................................................................................................................................... vi Summary .......................................................................................................................................1 Prioritised population locations and actions for each species ............................................................1 Yarra Pygmy Perch ............................................................................................................................1 Dwarf Galaxias...................................................................................................................................2 Australian Mudfish.............................................................................................................................2 Australian Grayling............................................................................................................................3 Background .......................................................................................................................................4 1 Introduction ......................................................................................................................................5 2 Methods .......................................................................................................................................6 2.1 Collation of background information.................................................................................................6 2.2 Workshop participation......................................................................................................................7 2.3 Population prioritisation by species ...................................................................................................7 2.4 Determination of threats associated to each population.....................................................................8 2.5 Report preparation..............................................................................................................................8 3 Outcomes of workshop .....................................................................................................................9 3.1 Workshop discussion..........................................................................................................................9 3.1.1 Yarra Pygmy Perch ..................................................................................................................9 3.1.2 Dwarf Galaxias ........................................................................................................................9 3.1.3 Australian Grayling................................................................................................................10 3.1.4 Australian Mudfish ................................................................................................................11 3.1.5 General comments .................................................................................................................11 3.2 Prioritisation of population sites ......................................................................................................13 3.3 Determination and prioritisation of threats associated with each high value population.................16 3.3.1 Yarra Pygmy Perch ................................................................................................................16 3.3.2 Dwarf Galaxias ......................................................................................................................24 3.3.3 Australian Mudfish ................................................................................................................26 3.3.4 Australian Grayling................................................................................................................30 3.4 Threats, triggers and recommended actions for each site.................................................................34 Arthur Rylah Institute for Environmental Research Technical report series No. 198 iv 4 Summaries and management options ...........................................................................................52 4.1 Yarra Pygmy Perch ..........................................................................................................................52 4.1.1 Waurn Ponds Creek ...............................................................................................................52 4.1.2 Thompson Creek....................................................................................................................53 4.1.3 Upper Barwon catchment (including Pennyroyal Creek) ......................................................53 4.1.4 Curdies River .........................................................................................................................54 4.1.5 Sutherland Creek....................................................................................................................54 4.1.6 Woady Yallock and Gnarkeet Creeks population..................................................................55 4.1.7 Saint Georges River ...............................................................................................................55 4.1.8 Summary of Management Options for Yarra Pygmy Perch ..................................................55 4.1.9 Additional Research...............................................................................................................55 4.2 Dwarf Galaxias.................................................................................................................................57 4.2.1 Barwon River.........................................................................................................................57 4.2.2 Gosling Creek ........................................................................................................................58 4.2.3 Additional Research...............................................................................................................59 4.3 Australian Mudfish...........................................................................................................................60 4.3.1 Aire River...............................................................................................................................60 4.3.2 Barwon River (Belmont Common)........................................................................................61 4.3.3 Calder River...........................................................................................................................61 4.3.4 Wye