Full Title
Lachlan Fish Spawning and Recruitment (stage two of an earlier project: Fish Spawning and Recruitment)
Contact Person
Amina Price
Project Team
Details
Funding Body
Lachlan Catchment Management Authority
Duration
Stage one: January to December 2009
Stage two: July 2009 to June 2011
Outcomes
Stage one: report to LCMA, brochure for public display and presentation of results.
Stage two: Report and presentation to LCMA, data base of information about fish distribution, recruitment, abundance and condition for each section of the catchment.
Summary
Stage one: This research represents the first component of a three year project aimed at investigating the distribution and long-term viability and sustainability of native fish populations in the Lachlan River. The sustainability of fish populations is based on two key processes: 1) the occurrence of regular spawning events and 2) successful recruitment of larvae to the adult population (Figure 1). The project proposes to investigate both of these processes for fish populations in the Lachlan River over 3 years by examining both the population structure of fish populations and the spatial and temporal spawning and recruitment patterns of fish within the catchment. These patterns will then be related to environmental conditions such as temperature and flow regimes, connectivity and in-stream habitat features to determine which factors are influencing spawning and recruitment success.
As the timing for the commencement of this project precludes a full sampling season for larvae (September to March), the initial component (November 2008 - November 2009) will examine the size structure and recruitment patterns of fish within the river and their relative condition. Measurement of fish condition gives an indication of a fish's physiological condition and growth in response to their environment
Specifically, the project will:
· Examine the recruitment patterns of fish (which species have successfully recruited and where) in the Lachlan catchment
· Determine the population structure of fish populations in Lachlan catchment
· Examine the condition of fish in the Lachlan catchment
· Relate patterns in fish recruitment and condition to environmental conditions (temperature, water quality, food availability)
This one year project will provide information regarding the condition, distribution and size structure of current populations and of the location of recruitment 'hot-spots' within the river. This information will provide the CMA with baseline data that can be utilised for future assessments of the impacts of management interventions on native fish populations and a report card of the health of native fish populations throughout the system. In addition, knowledge of the recruitment patterns and of the factors that may be impacting on spawning and recruitment, may be used to inform decision-making (e.g. regarding the prioritisation of management actions and/or the identification of high conservation value sites) to yield the best outcomes for native fish communities.
Stage two: This research represents the second component of a three year project aimed at investigating the distribution and long-term viability and sustainability of native fish populations in the Lachlan River. The sustainability of fish populations is based on two key processes: 1) the occurrence of regular spawning events and 2) successful recruitment of larvae to the adult population (Figure 1). The project proposes to investigate both of these processes for fish populations in the Lachlan River over 3 years by examining both the population structure of fish populations and the spatial and temporal spawning and recruitment patterns of fish within the catchment. These patterns will then be related to environmental conditions such as temperature and flow regimes, connectivity and in-stream habitat features to determine which factors are influencing spawning and recruitment success.
This phase of the project will focus on fish spawning and recruitment patterns within the Lachlan Catchment. Specifically, the project will:
· Examine the spawning patterns of fish (which species have spawned and where)
· Examine the recruitment patterns of fish (which species have recruited and where)
· Relate patterns in fish spawning and recruitment to environmental conditions (temperature, water quality, food availability)
