Environment

Endangered frog given a fighting chance

Dec 17, 2021

Jump start: Fixing a barrier in a stream in the Big River catchment is protecting the endangered spotted tree frog from non-native fish. Photo by Contributed

Protecting the spotted tree frog from non-native fish is giving the critically endangered species a better chance at survival.

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The Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning has led a team of 13 organisations to successfully repair a stream barrier in the Big River catchment south of Eildon to reduce the threat of non-native fish eating spotted tree frog eggs and tadpoles.

DELWP’s Dan Pendavingh said reducing non-native fish numbers at important spotted tree frog sites was a vital step in helping the species survive.

“Brown trout, rainbow trout and European carp all eat spotted tree frog tadpoles and juvenile frogs,” he said.

“The fish barrier reduces the ability of these fish to access the streams where the spotted tree frog still occurs.

“The original fish barrier was built in 2000 and repair works were needed to plug holes and restore the integrity of the barrier.

“Monitoring of the frog has been carried out for 30 years and confirms the population is at a precariously low level. We hope this project will help ensure the species’ ongoing survival.”

Spotted tree frog populations have declined due to predation by non-native fish and the chytrid fungus disease.

The species has disappeared from 50 per cent of its former sites and is now only present in eight of its original 14 populations across north-east Victoria and southern NSW.

The University of Melbourne and DELWP’s Arthur Rylah Institute for Environmental Research undertook electro-fishing surveys to assess fish populations and remove non-native fish in the area.

The Australian Trout Foundation and Native Fish Australia also held angling days at the site to remove and translocate non-native fish.

The support and participation of recreational fishing communities, Traditional Owners and other stakeholders has been crucial to the successful rollout of the project.

Works were completed between February and November in collaboration with Goulburn Broken Catchment Management Authority, Parks Victoria, University of Melbourne, ATF, NFA, Taungurung Land and Waters Council, Victorian Fisheries Authority, Victorian Fly Fishers Association, VRFish, Conservation Volunteers Australia, National Environmental Science Programme, Murrindindi Shire Council and Zoos Victoria.