Wamberal Lagoon Catchment Aquatic Survey Final Report (PDF ...

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Figure 3. Upper Forresters Creek after lagoon opening June 2010 Note: For environmental and hygiene reasons (transfer of pests, diseases & weeds, etc.) each of the catchments are treated as individual systems and are surveyed separately with materials and personnel being sterilized between catchments. A copy of our Hygiene Protocol and Code of Practice is available online at www.aabio.com.au. Table 1. Proposed Catchment Surveys Gosford LGA PROJECT 100056 SURVEY LIST No Catchment Project No. Status Grid 1 Wamberal Lagoon 100056-1 Completed 79, 80, 89, 90. 2 Terrigal Lagoon 100056-2 In Prep 79, 89. 3 Avoca Lagoon 100056-3 In Prep 4 Cockrone Lake 100056-4 In Prep 5 Kincumber to Kilcare & Bouddi NP – Coastal Streams 100056-5 Completed 87, 88, 97, 98, 107, 108, 117 & 118. 6 Erina Creek 100056-6 In Prep 7 Narara Creek 100056-7 8 Brisbane Water –western side streams 100056-8 9 Mullet Creek 100056-9 10 Mooney Mooney Creek 100056-10 11 Mangrove Creek 100056-11 Wamberal Lagoon Catchment Report Australian Aquatic Biological P/L 8
4. Research Methods A large proportion of the Wamberal Lagoon catchment was surveyed (Map 1) to identify potential habitat areas. The survey was relatively unobtrusive and consisted of various methods: 4.1 Methods Site co-ordinates and altitude were recorded using a Magellan Explorist 600 handheld GPS. Specimens were collected using a variety of methods to suit the conditions at each survey site. • Visual observation of crayfish presence/activity. Generally burrowing activity is the most common indication of crayfish in the area, although visual observation is also often a useful technique to record the presence of crayfish that are active on the forest floor or stream bed during sampling. • Visual search for shell fragments and remnants of crayfish or molluscs. Crayfish moult their shells to grow a new larger shell, discarding the old shell, they lose claws due to fighting or claws are left from animal predation. Snail and mussel shells are often stranded as water recedes or carried onshore by predators. Searching for shell remnants can give a good indication of the species present, the numbers of animals in the population and an indication of the predators in the area feeding on the crayfish/molluscs as each predator has its own signature re shell remains. • Active netting. Scoop nets were used to scoop the bottom sediments, under logs, through leaf litter, under banks or through reedy sections, etc. This is a particularly important method to detect species that do not respond to baits or traps and particularly effective in muddy/turbid water. Three scoop nets were utilized: Small- 300mm dia hand held scoop. Medium- rectangular rake with 600mm x 200mm opening. Large – 600mm x 700mm scoop net. • Cast Net. 3m diameter cast net. • Structure removal and probing. Crayfish and molluscs shelter under rocks and logs, etc. and time was allocated to lifting such shelter objects and searching by hand for fauna. This is another particularly important method to detect species that do not respond to traps or nets. • Burrow excavation by hand. Most crayfish species construct burrows and thus an integral part of the survey involved careful excavation of burrows by hand to search for crayfish. This is a particularly important method to detect species that do not respond to traps or nets. Most animals were examined at the collection site and released after identification. Some voucher material was retained where appropriate and all retained specimens were placed in transport containers with a small amount of water and some vegetation from the site and returned to the laboratory. Selected specimens were placed in glass Wamberal Lagoon Catchment Report Australian Aquatic Biological P/L 9
Page 1 and 2: Australian Aquac Biological Wambera
Page 3 and 4: Report Summary Biological surveys w
Page 5 and 6: Figure 12. Common rush swamps - nor
Page 7: Wamberal Lagoon Nature Reserve is s
Page 11 and 12: Erina Creek Catchment Tuggerah Lake
Page 13 and 14: 1POI001 1POI001 1POI001 1POI001 1PO
Page 15 and 16: 5.1.2. Euastacus Crayfish Despite o
Page 17 and 18: Figure 11. Flooded Wetlands Common
Page 19 and 20: 5.1.4. Cherax The Setose Yabby Cher
Page 21 and 22: Figure 18. Atyidae shrimp 5.1.5. At
Page 23 and 24: 5.2.2. Pseudomugilidae Pacific Blue
Page 25 and 26: Striped Gudgeons (Gobiomorphus aust
Page 27 and 28: 5.4. Insect Larvae Mud eyes, beetle
Page 29 and 30: 6. Field Notes. Survey sites were r
Page 31 and 32: Figure 33. Forresters Creek - flowi
Page 33 and 34: 7. Conclusion The presence of Grama
Page 35 and 36: 10. References: Allen, G.R., Midgle
Page 37: Collecti Weight STATE or Family Gen

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