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Spotted Handfish Recovery Plan 1999-2001

- Listed as Endangered (Schedule 1 Endangered Species Protection Act 1992).
- Listed as Endangered (ASFB Threatened Species Listing).
- Listed as Critically Endangered (IUCN 1996 Red List).
- Protected in 1995 under the Tasmanian State Living Marine Resources Act.

The spotted handfish is endemic to a small area of south eastern Tasmania. Once considered to be the most common of the inshore handfishes, it has suffered a significant decline in abundance and is now rarely encountered.

Recent surveys of 50 sites covering the species previous known range located colonies at only three localities and isolated individuals at a further seven. Total population estimates are not yet available, although surveys of one site suggest a colony size of 300-500 individuals (adults and juveniles).

The spotted handfish is considered to be vulnerable to extinction due to its highly restricted and patchy distribution, low population density, limited dispersal capabilities and a reproductive strategy of producing low numbers of demersal eggs that are highly susceptibility to disturbance.

Spotted Handfish Recovery Plan 1999-2001
(PDF: 515 KB / 54 pages. Contains images)

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This page - http://www.dpiw.tas.gov.au/inter.nsf/Attachments/LJEM-6WG6FA?open - was last published on 7 May 2008 by the Department of Primary Industries and Water. Questions concerning its content can be sent to Internet Coordinator by using the feedback form, or by mail to GPO Box 44, Hobart, Tasmania, Australia 7001.

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