Commonwealth authorises red handfish to be evacuated amid marine heatwave forecast

Critically endangered Tasmanian red handfish are being evacuated from their natural habitat over growing fears marine heatwaves could make the species extinct this summer. How the plan works.

The red handfish Picture: Supplied

Critically endangered red handfish are being evacuated from their native habitat by scientists in an effort to avoid extinction amid fears forecast marine heatwaves could wipe out the species this summer.

Federal Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek authorised scientists to collect up to 25 red handfish to take back to the University of Tasmania’s Institute of Marine and Antarctic Studies (IMAS).

Found solely in the eastern and southern waters of Tasmania, the red handfish, renowned for its unique ability to walk on the sea floor, has had diminished populations because of invasive sea urchins, pollution, and various disturbances.

CANBERRA, AUSTRALIA, NewsWire Photos. DECEMBER 7, 2023: Minister for Environment and Water Tanya Plibersek during Question Time at Parliament House in Canberra. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Martin Ollman

About 100 adult red handfish are estimated to remain in the wild.

Scientists predict populations could decline as high as 75 to 99 per cent with marine heatwave and high temperature forecasted this summer.

“The Australian Government will issue an emergency exemption under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 and the Tasmanian Government has issued the appropriate permits and approvals to facilitate the relocation,” acting Tasmanian Environment Minister Nic Street said.

Red handfish Picture: Rick Stuart-Smith/IMAS

“Acting on advice from a specialist workshop including IMAS, the federal Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water, the Department of Natural Resources and Environment Tasmania and other specialists, IMAS will commence a staged relocation of red handfish from an area predicted to be most at risk to IMAS’s facility in the coming weeks.”

The emergency intervention is expected to be short-term, with plans to release the collected species back into the wild when it’s safe.

IMAS will monitor the remaining wild red handfish not collected for signs of stress this summer. If necessary, scientists will relocate the species to their facilities.

“Unfortunately, the red handfish is at risk of extinction this summer due to marine heatwaves,” Ms Plibersek said.

Red handfish with eggs Picture: J.Stuart-Smith

“That’s why we’ve worked with experts to authorise the collection of an initial 25 handfish to give this unique species the best chance of recovery.”

This week, the federal government invested $239,650 to improve the species’ wild habitat and recover the health of captive animals.

It comes as IMAS has bred hope for the future of the endangered species after 21 red handfish hatched in their captive breeding program.

“We’re still behind where we need to be for habitat restoration and management at red handfish sites – and it’s these components that will be the deciding factor in the survival of the species,” threatened species and ecosystems team co-leader Dr Jemina Stuart-Smith said.

Originally published as Commonwealth authorises red handfish to be evacuated amid marine heatwave forecast