Draft Recovery Plan for the Giant Freshwater Lobster (Astacopsis gouldi)

https://www.environment.gov.au/biodiversity/threatened/recovery-plans/comment/draft-recovery-plan-giant-freshwater-lobster

Draft Recovery Plan for the Giant Freshwater Lobster (Astacopsis gouldi) –

Submissions are due by the 8th. They have been stuffing around and stuffing up the management of this animal for 20 odd years – surprise/surprise!

I have read through some of the info on the govt site and précised and rehashed some of the salient points so that I could make a quick submission. You are welcome to use and abuse it as you feel.

Regards

XXXXXX

Critical Recovery Requirements…

Act immediately to protect this animal. Twenty years has already been largely wasted by governments and inadequate bureaucratic response.
Increase reserved sites and provide improved habitat and protection for the giant freshwater lobsters including increased penalties for illegal fishing.

Ongoing and regular monitoring of all sites as well as increased research aimed at greater understanding and better management of the giant freshwater lobster and its habitat.

Increase both the publicity and the education of all interested parties as a means of disseminating a better level of information and insight into the plight of the giant freshwater lobster.

Failures…

This recovery plan MUST NOT FAIL again. Too much damage has already occurred with some areas of extinction and/or a decline in population and health already having been recorded.

There has obviously been a failure to adequately monitor the existing populations.

Illegal fishing continues unabated due to the lack of policing and effective penalties.

Threats to the fresh water lobsters environment such as habitat disturbance, particularly upstream of the lobster habitat, total loss of habitat, siltation of waterways affecting the survival of juveniles, and the impact of climate change have not been satisfactorily managed to date.

All areas currently occupied by the species are critical to its survival and must be protected and managed efficiently throughout the complete geographical range.

The species has a limited distribution in the State and they have already suffered serious reductions in their numbers, suitable habitat areas and the quality of those habitats.

Action must be taken immediately and continue until it has been verified that the fresh water lobster and its habitat are no longer under threat and in fact, thriving.
Anne