Conservation and recovery actions for rare and threatened Wet Tropics freshwater fish

Start date: 01/01/2025
End date: 30/06/2027
NESP funding: $600,775 (GST-exclusive)

This project will address critical knowledge gaps in the management and recovery of rare and threatened freshwater fish species in the Wet Tropics World Heritage Area, which are increasingly at risk due to extreme events such as cyclones, habitat degradation and the spread of non-native fish species. 

In December 2023, Tropical Cyclone Jasper caused record rainfall and severe flooding in the northern region. This led to significant ecological damage, threatening species like the Daintree rainbowfish, Malanda rainbowfish, Opal cling goby and the Bloomfield River cod. These species are further stressed by ongoing land use pressures, particularly agriculture and urban development, as well as spread of non-native fish. 

The Daintree rainbow fish (Cairnsichthys bitaeniatus) is potentially at risk from the impacts of severe flooding associated with Cyclone Jasper. This species is listed as critically endangered by the Australian Government under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999. Photo: Keith Martin.

Key research areas

To mitigate these threats, the project will: 

1. Undertake risk assessments through desktop studies and workshops, identifying priority recovery actions and emergency responses for the rare and threatened fish species in the region.  
2. Conduct field surveys, including eDNA and traditional sampling, in the high-priority Bloomfield River catchment to assess the impact of recent floods on Bloomfield River cod populations and the potential risks posed by non-native fish species. 
3. Focus on filling critical knowledge gaps related to the ecohydrological requirements of the Bloomfield River cod, for which little is currently known. Research will cover habitat, trophic relationships, life history and genetic assessments to better inform conservation strategies. 
   

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The Bloomfield River cod (Guyu wujalwujalensis) is endemic to the Bloomfield River. Very little is known about its ecology or how it may be responding to key threats.  Photo: Mark Kennard.