Known to occur: nine locations in the lower Derwent Estuary and two locations in the D’Entrecasteaux Channel. Loss of spawning Likely to occur: further locations in the lower substrate Marine Protected Derwent Estuary and D’Entrecasteaux Spotted handfish Area (IUCN Channel. Habitat (Brachionichthys category VI May occur: multiple inshore locations along degradation (loss hirsutus) equivalent) the continental shelf on the east coast of of refugia and State Waters Tasmania, including Frederick Henry Bay, foraging/feeding Great Oyster Bay, Huon Estuary, Cape habitat) Portland, St Helens and the wider D’Entrecasteaux Channel. Known to occur: one location in Primrose Sands, Frederick Henry Bay. Likely to occur: wider area surrounding Loss of spawning Primrose Sands, Frederick Henry Bay. substrate Red handfish May occur: multiple inshore locations along (Thymichthys State Waters the eastern coast of Tasmania, including Port Climate change politus) Arthur region, the Forestier Peninsula, the and habitat Actaeon Islands, D'Entrecasteaux Channel degradation and possible areas in the Bass Strait, off northern Tasmania. to occur: distribution of remaining extant populations currently unknown. Likely to Waterfall Bay area of Tasman Marine Protected Ziebell’s / Waterfall Peninsula and Bicheno region. Area (IUCN Bay handfish May occur: multiple locations along the category VI Threats unknown (Brachiopsilus eastern and southern coasts of Tasmania, equivalent) ziebelli) including the lower D’Entrecasteaux Channel, State Waters the Acteaon Islands, the Forestier and Tasman Peninsulas, Bicheno and Cox Bight in south-west Tasmania. * known to occur consists of all locations where the species have been sighted within the past decade, this includes biologically important areas where the species are known to breed, feed or forage. * likely to occur consists of areas where the species or species’ habitat is likely to occur, such as locations adjacent to known distribution polygons or locations where the species have been previously sighted. * may occur consists of areas where the species or species’ habitat may occur, such as historic locations and larger stretches of the coastline within the depth distribution of the species.
Spotted handfish (Brachionichthys hirsutus) Known to occur: nine locations in the lower Derwent Estuary and two locations in the D’Entrecasteaux Channel. Likely to occur: further locations in the lower Derwent Estuary and D’Entrecasteaux Channel. May occur: multiple inshore locations along the continental shelf on the east coast of Tasmania, including Frederick Henry Bay, Great Oyster Bay, Huon Estuary, Cape Portland, St Helens and the wider D’Entrecasteaux Channel. Marine Protected Area (IUCN category VI equivalent) State Waters Loss of spawning substrate Habitat degradation (loss of refugia and foraging/feeding habitat) Red handfish (Thymichthys politus) Known to occur: one location in Primrose Sands, Frederick Henry Bay. Likely to occur: wider area surrounding Primrose Sands, Frederick Henry Bay. May occur: multiple inshore locations along the eastern coast of Tasmania, including Port Arthur region, the Forestier Peninsula, the Actaeon Islands, D'Entrecasteaux Channel and possible areas in the Bass Strait, off northern Tasmania. State Waters Loss of spawning substrate Climate change and habitat degradation Ziebell’s / Waterfall Bay handfish (Brachiopsilus ziebelli) to occur: distribution of remaining extant populations currently unknown. Likely to Waterfall Bay area of Tasman Peninsula and Bicheno region. May occur: multiple locations along the eastern and southern coasts of Tasmania, including the lower D’Entrecasteaux Channel, the Acteaon Islands, the Forestier and Tasman Peninsulas, Bicheno and Cox Bight in south-west Tasmania. Marine Protected Area (IUCN category VI equivalent) State Waters Threats unknown * known to occur consists of all locations where the species have been sighted within the past decade, this includes biologically important areas where the species are known to breed, feed or forage. * likely to occur consists of areas where the species or species’ habitat is likely to occur, such as locations adjacent to known distribution polygons or locations where the species have been previously sighted. * may occur consists of areas where the species or species’ habitat may occur, such as historic locations and larger stretches of the coastline within the depth distribution of the species.
recovery-plan-three-handfish-species.docx