Department of Conservation freshwater ranger Lan Pham
electro-fishes for the rare lowland longjaw galaxias in the
Kauru River, inland from Maheno, yesterday. Photo by David
Bruce.
The rare lowland longjaw galaxiid is heading for a new
home in North Otago in an attempt to ensure the threatened
species survives.
Yesterday, Department of Conservation freshwater rangers
electro-fished the Kauru River for about 500 juveniles to
relocate them to the Waianakarua River to establish a new
population.
The juveniles, only a few centimetres long, were taken to
Dunedin yesterday to stabilise and introduce them to
Waianakarua River water before an official "translocation
celebration" when they will be released into their new home
on December 14.
The lowland longjaw galaxiid is New Zealand's most threatened
and rarest fish.
Its threat status is "nationally critical".
But if a major catastrophic event occurred in the Kauru River
they could be wiped out, hence the attempt to shift juveniles
and establish a new population.
Yesterday, Doc staff were fishing pools left isolated by the
falling Kauru River to get up to 500 juveniles.
Freshwater ranger Peter Ravenscroft said it was decided to
take the juveniles now because they would be doomed when the
pools dried out.
Mr Ravenscroft said Doc had approval to release up to 1000 a
year into the Waianakarua River over the next two years.
North Otago's greatest population is in the Kauru River,
which is suited to the fish's life cycle.
However, with didymo present in the Kakanui River, which the
Kauru River flows into, and fears the longjaw's tenuous
situation could be threatened by the invasive algae or
another event such as a deterioration in water quality,
attempts are being made to establish an alternative
population.
Mr Ravenscroft said Doc investigated a number of streams and
rivers to introduce a population of lowland longjaw galaxias,
including the Big Kuri Creek at Hampden and the Hae Hae te
Moana near Geraldine, but selected the Waianakarua River as
the most likely to be successful.
Before relocating the fish, the Kauru River was tested to be
sure it was clear of didymo, as was the Waianakarua River.
The juveniles will be released into the mid and upper reaches
of the Waianakarua River on December 14 at a special event
which will involve Waitaki MP Jacqui Dean, Te Runanga of
Moeraki chairman Patrick Tipa and Doc Otago conservator
Marian van der Goes.
david.bruce@odt.co.nz
Bookmark/Search this post with:
A name, residential address, and (preferably residential) telephone number is required from readers who comment on ODT Online. These details will not be visible to site visitors.