NESP MaC Project 1.23: Spotted Handfish Survey and Conservation Data, 1997-2022

23 years of survey data (1997–2019) on the critically endangered Spotted Handfish (Brachionichthys hirsutus) in South-eastern Tasmania, extended to 2022. The project, led by the NESP Marine and Coastal Hub, consolidated imagery, length frequency, and GPS data to support population monitoring and artificial spawning habitat placement. Outputs include a time-series database and a final report with policy recommendations.

Use Cases

• Model population trends based on the 23-year time-series of survey data.
• Identify suitable locations for artificial spawning habitats based on GPS region and habitat suitability data.
• Support captive breeding programs using consolidated data on length frequency and spawning success.
• Inform conservation policy through the analysis of long-term population declines and recovery actions.

Strengths

• 23 years of continuous survey data (1997–2019), providing a long-term ecological baseline.
• Consolidated database includes imagery, length frequency, and GPS regions, offering multiple data modalities.
• Project is explicitly linked to the National Handfish Recovery Team and a captive breeding program, indicating applied use.

Limitations

• Column-level documentation is absent; field semantics must be inferred after download.
• Row count is unknown, which may limit suitability assessment for large-scale modeling.
• Data may reflect geographic bias inherent to surveys focused on the Derwent estuary and surrounds.

Provenance

Source

Australian Ocean Data Network (via NESP Marine and Coastal Hub).

Collection Method

Field surveys of multiple local populations, including imagery collection and GPS mapping.

Time Range

1997 to 2022, with a focus on 2021-2022 survey recommencement.

Freshness

Last updated 2026-06-04 17:37:40.412359; freshness should be verified.

Geography

South-eastern Tasmania, specifically the Derwent estuary and surrounding bays.