Threatened species & ecological communities

National recovery plan for four species of handfish

Department of the Environment and Heritage, 25 October 2005

Download

About the plan

Handfish are small, colourful, relatively sedentary, benthic fish that prefer to 'walk' on their pectoral fins rather than swim. These pectoral fins are hand-like, hence their common name. Four species of handfish are listed as threatened under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act):

All of theses species of handfish are endemic to Tasmania.

The recovery plan addresses the statutory requirements of the EPBC Act. It identifies targeted actions that will assist the recovery of the species. The recovery plan is supported by a non-statutory, peer reviewed issues paper which describes the biology, threats and conservation status of the species.

About the issues paper

Four species of handfish are listed as threatened under the EPBC Act: spotted handfish (Brachionichthys hirsutus), red handfish (Brachionichthys politus), Waterfall Bay handfish (Sympterichthys sp. [CSIRO #T1996.01]) and Ziebell's handfish (Sympterichthys sp. [CSIRO #T6.01]). This paper provides background information on the biology of and threats to these species. It should be read in conjunction with the recovery plan for four species of handfish.

Cover page

Before you download

Some documents are available as PDF files. You will need a PDF reader to view PDF files.
List of PDF readers 

If you are unable to access a publication, please contact us to organise a suitable alternative format.

Key

   Links to another web site
   Opens a pop-up window