Strategy 1 Increase spawning success for spotted, red and Ziebell’s handfish – Research actions Action Description Priority Performance Criteria Responsible Indicative Cost Parties *priority 1 only 1a Improve 2 Spawning triggers for spotted Research - knowledge of handfish are identified (e.g. water community spotted temperature triggers or seasonal DPIPWE handfish triggers). spawning triggers. 1b Consider 2 If threats to spawning substrate are Research - options for identified (under actions 5a and 5b), community improving the potential mitigation measures are DEP spawning investigated (e.g. removal of urchin DPIPWE success of red barrens, oyster mats or filamentous and Ziebell’s alga proliferations that may be handfish. reducing the availability of spawning substrate). On-ground actions Action Description Priority Performance Criteria Responsible Indicative Cost Parties *priority 1 only Assess the 1 Spotted handfish use of artificial Research $90 000 pa 1c effects of spawning substrate is recorded, with community (three year artificial eggs and subsequent number of DPIPWE project) spawning juveniles counted after each habitat on breeding season. spotted Data is analysed to determine handfish effectiveness of artificial spawning reproductive habitat for increasing handfish output. recruitment and results are reported to DotE and DPIPWE. 1d Design and 1 Key locations for the deployment of Research $50 000 pa implement a community (three year artificial spawning habitat are long-term identified (e.g. sites in which Volunteer project for two artificial availability of natural spawning dive groups new sites) spawning substrate is a limiting factor). DPIPWE habitat The results of action 1c are used to program and inform the design of a long-term deploy artificial program for the deployment and spawning maintenance of artificial spawning habitat at habitat. additional to increase the Artificial spawning habitat is spawning deployed at additional sites and success of handfish use of the additional spotted artificial spawning habitat is handfish. assessed. The condition of artificial substrate is assessed at yearly intervals after deployment and the average longevity of substrate is determined.
Strategy 1 – Increase spawning success for spotted, red and Ziebell’s handfish Research actions Action Description Priority Performance Criteria Responsible Parties Indicative Cost *priority 1 only 1a Improve knowledge of spotted handfish spawning triggers. 2 Spawning triggers for spotted handfish are identified (e.g. water temperature triggers or seasonal triggers). Research community DPIPWE - 1b Consider options for improving the spawning success of red and Ziebell’s handfish. 2 If threats to spawning substrate are identified (under actions 5a and 5b), potential mitigation measures are investigated (e.g. removal of urchin barrens, oyster mats or filamentous alga proliferations that may be reducing the availability of spawning substrate). Research community DEP DPIPWE - On-ground actions Action Description Priority Performance Criteria Responsible Parties Indicative Cost *priority 1 only 1c Assess the effects of artificial spawning habitat on spotted handfish reproductive output. 1 Spotted handfish use of artificial spawning substrate is recorded, with eggs and subsequent number of juveniles counted after each breeding season. Data is analysed to determine effectiveness of artificial spawning habitat for increasing handfish recruitment and results are reported to DotE and DPIPWE. Research community DPIPWE $90 000 pa (three year project) 1d Design and implement a long-term artificial spawning habitat program and deploy artificial spawning habitat at additional to increase the spawning success of spotted handfish. 1 Key locations for the deployment of artificial spawning habitat are identified (e.g. sites in which availability of natural spawning substrate is a limiting factor). The results of action 1c are used to inform the design of a long-term program for the deployment and maintenance of artificial spawning habitat. Artificial spawning habitat is deployed at additional sites and handfish use of the additional artificial spawning habitat is assessed. The condition of artificial substrate is assessed at yearly intervals after deployment and the average longevity of substrate is determined. Research community Volunteer dive groups DPIPWE $50 000 pa (three year project for two new sites)