THe following is a Qld DPI&F press release
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25 August 2004

Improving fish diversity in forestry area waterways
A Collaborative effort is being mounted to improve fish diversity in waterways inland from Pumicestone passage to Beerburrum and Elimbah just north of Brisbane.

Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries marine biologists and forestry staff, Caboolture Shire Council and the Pumicestone Catchment Coordination Association are combining their efforts in the project to restore fish passage and aquatic biodiversity.

DPI Forestry Beerburrum manager Leigh Kleinschmidt said they were working to ensure a wide diversity of fish species in waterways adjacent to forestry plantations in the PumicestonePassage, by identifying and mitigating barriers to fish migration.

“Ensuring fish access means greater diversity in species utilising the waterways which in turn means reduced mosquito and pest insect numbers and healthier waterways.”

“We are assisting the survey program and are seeking to change the Ellison Road barrier in Elimbah Creek to improve fish access,” Mr Kleinschmidt said.

“DPI Forestry watercourse protection guidelines have been successful in leaving riparian buffers along all watercourses adjacent forestry plantations in the Beerburrum area including Coochin Creek which has made it one of the best examples of fish habitat in South east Queensland.”

“Elimbah Creek also has a natural vegetation buffer, but the road barrier has been identified as the major problem to fish access” Mr Kleinschmidt said.

The Elimbah creek vegetation corridor is one of the 18 wildlife corridors identified throughout the Beerburrum plantation estate. In addition to the proposed barrier removal and crossing upgrade, DPI Forestry will be undertaking weed control along sections of the corridor as part of its 2004/05 pest management program.

DPI&F biologist Dr Michael Hutchison and Hydrobiology Pty Ltd aquatic ecologist Shane Langdon have been conducting sampling trials of fish in Elimbah and Coochin creeks as part of the project.

A NSW study found that culverts or causeways were the major (64 per cent) artificial barriers to fish passage. Elimbah Creek which drains 150 square kilometres into Pumicestone passage has poor aquatic diversity primarily due to the Ellison Road crossing.

Mr Langdon said only 10 fish species were recorded in three separate fish surveys in Elimbah Creek from 1993 to 2003. The neighbouring catchment with few or no fish barriers was found to have over 21 native fish species.

Dr Michael Hutchison said “We have used Coochin Creek as a control basis for monitoring of Elimbah Creek. In Coochin Creek we found 12 species of fish in one day, some migratory, including freshwater mullet, sea mullet, bullrout, Australian bass and both juvenile and adult empire and striped gudgeon.”

“No introduced species were found and fish in Coochin Creek were abundant. However in Elimbah Creek above the road crossing neither mullet or bass were found. There were only some adult striped gudgeon and empire gudgeon found which suggests juveniles were not able to get over the barrier. The only other large fish found were eels. Several introduced species including mosquito fish and swordtails were found.” Mr Hutchison said.

Mr Kleinschmidt said researchers would do a follow-up survey in summer when more migratory species are expected to make their way upstream in Coochin Creek including bream, silver biddys and jungle perch.

He said that a series of surveys would also be held after the barrier is removed on Elimbah Creek and replaced with a more fish friendly culvert crossing.

It is hoped to extend the project to identify and assess the significance of road crossings and other barriers that impede fish passage in other SEQ waterways including the Maroochy, Mooloolah, Pumicestone region and Pine Rivers Catchments.

Further information: Leigh Kleinschmidt. +61 7 5438 6634
Media Officer: Mark Dawson. Ph: +61 7 5430 4951, Mob: 0407 756 859
Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries Media Unit
PO Box 5165 Sunshine Coast Mail Centre 4560. Ph: +61 7 5430 4911 Fax: +61 7 5430 4994
DPI&F Call Centre 8am-6pm weekdays on local call 13 25 23



http://www.dpi.qld.gov.au/news/NewsReleases/15968.html