IMAS researchers embark on rescue mission to protect red handfish from high sea temperatures

Amid soaring sea temperatures this summer, IMAS researchers have embarked on a vital rescue mission to protect the critically endangered red handfish.

A diver collecting red handfish. Picture: UTAS/IMAS

Scientists have embarked on a crucial rescue mission to protect the critically endangered red handfish, relocating 25 specimens into captivity south of Hobart amid concerns that soaring sea temperatures could pose a deadly threat to the embattled species.

Researchers from the red handfish research and conservation program at the University of Tasmania’s Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies (IMAS) successfully relocated a proportion of the population to IMAS’s Taroona facility, where the fish are said to have “settled into their new homes very nicely”.

Coupled with the degradation of the red handfish’s habitat, primarily due to overgrazing by increasing numbers of native urchins, the species is under threat from predicted high sea and atmospheric temperatures this summer.

A red handfish awaiting collection. Picture: UTAS/IMAS

There are believed to be fewer than 100 red handfish left in the wild, living in two small sections of rocky reef at Frederick Henry Bay, southeast of Hobart.

“The area already faces multiple threats – it’s close to urban areas and is impacted by run-off, direct disturbance through boating and anchoring, and of course climate change impacts,” said Dr Jemina Stuart-Smith, who co-leads the red handfish research and conservation program.

“Habitat degradation means there’s a loss of refuges and microhabitats, creating a disconnected habitat that makes it increasingly difficult for the handfish to adjust to water temperature stress.”

The 25 handfish are expected to be held in captivity until winter, however this will depend on whether their habitat is suitable for them to return to.

Dr Jemina Stuart-Smith a marine biologist at IMAS (Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies) in Hobart who is researching the endangered red handfish. Picture: Peter Mathew

“Our temperature data from [the] site showed us that this summer has already well exceeded previous temperature maximums. It is experiencing unprecedented high temperatures, so we can only assume that this additional stressor will impact the already fragile population,” Dr Stuart-Smith said.

Dr Andrew Trotter, who leads the conservation breeding project for red handfish at IMAS, said the 25 specimens in captivity were “feeding very well within a day and our aim now is to keep them healthy and content until it’s safe to return them”.

“We don’t want to keep them any longer than necessary – they’re wild animals and belong in the sea,” he said.

The captivity program is being undertaken with support from Seahorse World and in consultation with the National Handfish Recovery Team and the Department of Natural Resources and Environment.