Appendix D Terrestrial and Aquatic Biodiversity - Environment ...

The Freshwater fish surveys were carried out under a Section 17 License No. S17/3236 under the Fisheries
Act.
Table 6: Freshwater fish survey site locations and habitats
Survey & Site
Locations
MLA AREAS
Site 1
Site 3
Site 4
Coordinates Location & Habitat
15 0 08’ 55” S
135 0 02’ 49” E
15 0 08’ 28” S
135 0 06’ 14” E
15 0 09’ 00” S
135 0 08’ 27” E
DOWNSTREAM OF MLA AREAS
Site 2
Site 5
15 0 02’ 41” S
135 0 12’ 40” E
15 0 02’ 11”
135 0 10’ 36”
2.5.2 Survey Design
Survey Techniques
Upper reach of Towns River on MLA lease at
western extremity of the F East deposit. An isolated
pool in a seasonally flowing creek.
A series of waterholes 16km SW of Site 2. Located
on Towns River in WDR lease at eastern end of F
East deposit. Relatively deep waterhole adjacent to
rocky spur.
A series of small, swampy waterholes fed by a small
soak on WDR lease near E East deposit. Drains into
Magaranyi River. Shallow swamp where a small
stream cuts through a low ridge.
Crossing of Savannah Way and Towns River to
approximately 400m upstream and 55m downstream.
Lowland river at limits of tidal influence.
Crossing of the Savannah Way and Yumanji Creek
(Little Towns River). Long, lowland river pools
connected by small riffles.
Survey
Techniques
All (except gill
net)
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Doc No. DW120004-C0302-EIA-R-0036
Doc Title: Appendix D – Terrestrial Biodiversity Technical Report
All
All (except gill
net)
The range of freshwater fish present for each survey site was assessed using a variety of methods,
depending on the nature of the site. The range of assessment methods applied include:
• Gill nets – Multi-panel gillnets 35m in length and with a drop of 2m consisting of seven 5m long
panels each with a different mesh size: 26, 44, 58, 76, 100, 126, and 150 millimetres (knot to knot).
The differing mesh sizes permits sampling of a wide range of fish species and sizes (e.g. from small
rainbow fish to adult barramundi). Where possible, two sets of nets were set with one at right angles
to the bank, and one parallel to the bank to ensure capture of fish species which utilise bank
overhangs and open water. The nets were tied or anchored and buoyed (working from a small
dinghy) so that they remain stationary. The nets were left for approximately an hour in the afternoon,
and then re-set for another hour in the evening at sunset. Gill nets were set for no more than one
hour at a time and regularly checked, to minimise stress and mortalities. Gill nets were not used at
Sites 1 and 4 due to insufficient water depths.
• Scoop or push nets – These nets were used at each site to collect fauna from in-stream habitats
such as thick macrophytes (aquatic vegetation) and undercut banks;
• Cast nets – These were used at each site and are particularly effective at catching a broad range of
species in turbid shallow waters;
• Baited traps – Shrimp nets were used, baited with cat food. These traps were set at sundown for
approximately two hours;
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