Maccas in the Manus: Bushfire Recovery (2020-2021)
Funding
Murray Local Land Services (DAWE Bushfire Recovery Funding), $130,000
Investigators/ Researchers
Dr Katie Doyle, Professor Lee Baumgartner, Cameron McGregor, Dr Nathan Ning, Kyle Weatherman and Luke Pearce (NSW DPI)
Research Theme
Biodiversity Conservation
Description
Mannus Creek near Tumbarumba, NSW, contains one of only four populations of the endangered Macquarie Perch remaining in NSW, and the only population in the NSW Murray Catchment.
The population is highly significant as the only remaining population in Southern NSW and is the focus of much ongoing research and management to secure the population. A previous research project undertaken by ILWS researchers on the species, Macca’s in the Mannus, Macquarie Perch Refuge in the Upper Murray was completed in 2018 with its findings feeding into the National Recovery Plan for the Macquarie Perch.
In January 2020 the site where the small population of Macquarie perch was found was severely impacted by bushfire. Three weeks after the fire 10 Macquarie perch were rescued before it rained heavily, causing water conditions to deteriorate further.
The researchers have now returned to the site where they will undertake three activities:
- habitat remapping and assessment (which will give the researchers pre-and post-fire data so they can do a comparative analysis)
- fish community surveys
- pest fish ( carp, redfin and gambusia) removal to help secure and improve the population of any remaining Macquarie perch.
The project is being undertaken in partnership with NSW DPI Fisheries, and Murray Local Land Services and will conclude in June 2021.
Outcome
The findings from this research will contribute to an existing management plan for the recovery of the system post-bushfires.
Contact
Dr Katie Doyle
Albury-Wodonga Campus
November 2020