The Giant Freshwater Crayfish Project aims to expand and recover existing populations of giant freshwater crayfish (Astacopsis gouldi) in north-east Tasmania by improving water quality and native streamside habitat connectivity within priority stream reaches of the Pipers, Brid and Boobyalla catchments.
Adult giant freshwater crayfish (Astacopsis gouldi) can grow to weigh 6 kg and over 80 cm in length, however, there are currently very few individuals of this size in the wild. Image: Lauren Bird.
Focus
The Giant Freshwater Crayfish Project engages landholders located within priority stream reaches of the Pipers, Brid and Boobyalla catchments to co-invest in on-ground habitat restoration works. These works may include livestock exclusion fencing, controlling riverbank weeds, native riverbank revegetation and providing alternative livestock water sources.
The project also engages the community by involving volunteers in habitat planting days and a citizen science program that raises awareness of the species and its threats. Trained citizen scientists are equipped to collect data on potential crayfish habitats for adults and juveniles. The data collected is important for improving knowledge about the species’ distribution and where to focus on-ground habitat restoration investment.
These actions will reduce threats to giant freshwater crayfish by:
Value
The Tasmanian giant freshwater crayfish (Astacopsis gouldi) is the largest freshwater invertebrate in the world, capable of growing to over 80 centimetres in length and weighing up to six kilograms. Endemic to northern Tasmania, it is only found in rivers that flow into Bass Strait and the Arthur catchment (except for the Tamar catchment) and is culturally significant to the Tasmanian Aboriginal community.
Once a common sight in northern Tasmania, the species is now listed as vulnerable under both the Threatened Species Protection Act 1995 and the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 and as endangered under the International Union for Conservation of Nature’s Red List of Threatened Species. In recent years the recorded weight of most large mature adults has been less than three kilograms.
Threats to the giant freshwater crayfish include habitat disturbance or loss, sedimentation of waterways, illegal fishing, drought and climate change. Any form of land clearing or habitat disturbance that results in increased sedimentation of waterways, including in-stream erosion, bank destabilisation, slope run-off and clearing in upstream reaches of catchments present high risks, particularly for juveniles.
Excluding livestock from rivers and establishing dense native plantings reduces threats to giant freshwater crayfish by reducing disturbance and establishing shade. Image: Lauren Bird.
The project will focus on key habitat areas in the Brid, Pipers and Boobyalla catchments.
Delivery
NRM North works with landholders and the community to exclude livestock from waterways, establish dense native vegetation in place of exotic weeds and install alternative water sources for livestock within high priority reaches of the Pipers, Brid and Boobyalla catchments. Delivery of the project includes:
Get Involved
There are plenty of ways that you can help to protect populations of giant freshwater crayfish in Tasmania, regardless of whether you are a landholder within a priority stream reach or an enthusiastic community member.
These may include:
For more information please contact Biodiversity Coordinator Kym Blechynden at kblechynden@nrmnorth.org.au
Become directly involved in giant freshwater crayfish conservation by identifying priority habitat for the species through the project’s citizen science program. Image: Lauren Bird.
This project is supported by NRM North, through funding from the Australian Government’s National Landcare Program.
This project is supported by NRM North, through funding from the Australian Government’s National Landcare Program.
Return to the Biodiversity Program.
Actions to conserve the critically endangered plant.
Reducing threats to Hooded Plover breeding success in northern Tasmania.
Supporting small landholders to care for their natural resources.
Safeguarding northern Tasmania as a refuge for Eastern Barred Bandicoot.
Reducing threats to the Floodplain Lower Ringarooma River Ramsar site.
Working with community, government and key stakeholders to promote responsible cat management across Tasmania.