Fish salvage guidelines - Department of Primary Industries

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Smart State smart fishing 

Fish 

salvage guidelines 

Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries, Queensland 2004

QI04057 

ISSN 0727–6273 

While every care has been taken in preparing this publication, the 

State of Queensland accepts no responsibility for decisions or 

actions taken as a result of any data, information, statement or 

advice, expressed or implied, contained in this report. 

© The State of Queensland, Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries 2004 

Copyright protects this publication. The State of Queensland has no 

objection to this material being reproduced but asserts its right to be 

recognised as author of its original material and the right to have its 

material remain unaltered. 

Inquiries should be addressed to: 

Manager, DPI&F Publications 

Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries 

GPO Box 46 

Brisbane Qld 4001

Contents 

Introduction 

1 

Guidelines for fish salvage 

1 

1. Removal of fish 1 

2. Lowering water level 1 

3. Handling fish 2 

4. Storing and transporting fish 2 

5. Releasing fish 2 

6. Action in the event of a fish kill 3 

7. Removing the temporary bunds 3 

Further information 

3 

Appendix A – Selected native fish species found in 

Queensland drainage divisions 

Gulf of Carpentaria 

East coast – southern 

East coast – central 

East coast – northern 

Murray-Darling 

Bulloo-Bancannia 

Lake Eyre 

4 

4 

5 

6 

7 

8 

8 

8 

Appendix B – Application for general fisheries permit 

Appendix C – Priority noxious and non-indigenous fish species 

to be killed and disposed of away from the waterways 

Appendix D – Equipment commonly used in fish salvage operations 

9 

10 

13

Introduction 

The construction and maintenance of waterway barriers and in-stream structures often requires the use of 

temporary bunds to allow for dry working conditions. When fish are stranded in large numbers within the 

bunded area, they may be subject to heat stress and depleted oxygen levels. This can lead to death unless 

the fish are relocated. It is important to take all possible steps to remove the trapped fish and handle them 

in the correct manner. 

Depending on the duration and scale of the works, it may be possible to place bunds in a manner where 

fish salvage is minimised, or a suitable temporary pool is maintained, so the fish do not need to be moved. 

However in circumstances where the bund will be in place for longer than a day, the procedures below 

should be implemented. 

Appendix A provides a guide to fish species that may be present at the works site depending on the 

catchment. The location within the catchment, the size of the waterbody, habitat quality above and below 

barriers and the level of water flow will dictate the quantity and size of fish present. This will provide an 

indication of the equipment required for capture and transport. Care should be taken not to underestimate 

the quantity of fish that may be present at a site. For example, several tonnes of live fish may be present at 

barriers in major river systems and small waterholes. 

Works should be undertaken in the cooler months where possible. Fish are less active in cooler weather 

and are easier to handle. This will result in less stress for the fish. As environmental temperatures increase 

during spring and summer, there are problems of increased biological oxygen demand while the oxygen 

holding capacity of the water decreases. 

Prior to fish salvage, the waterbody should be assessed for options to formulate a design that will facilitate 

safe fish removal. For example, access to the site for workers, depth of waterbody, and natural contours such 

as deeper areas that fish can be concentrated to as water levels drop. 

Guidelines for fish salvage 

1. Removal of fish 

Depending on the size of the pool, it may be practical to remove as many fish as possible before lowering 

the water level. In addition to this, it may provide an indication of the actual number of fish in the waterhole. 

Fish should be removed with a bait net, cast net or scoop net. The appropriate net is best determined by 

the area of the site (i.e. the number of fish present) and the size and species expected. The use of bait and 

cast nets in freshwater is illegal unless a permit has been obtained from Queensland Fisheries Service (see 

Appendix B). 

2. Lowering water level 

Pump the water over the most downstream barrier. The water level should initially be lowered by 25% and 

as many fish as possible removed, following guidelines 3 and 4. Then reduce the water level by another 25% 

to 50%. Again, remove as many fish as possible. Continue lowering the water level until the fish numbers 

are greatly reduced. The waterbody should only be pumped dry when it has been established that the fish 

numbers are very low. When lowering the water level, try to reduce overcrowding as, if this occurs, a fish kill 

could result. 

Noxious and non-indigenous fish must be killed immediately with a quick sharp blow to the head, or by 

placing in an ice slurry, and disposed of away from the waterway in a bin or by burial. They are not to be 

returned to the water. A list of priority noxious and non-indigenous fish species are provided in Appendix C. 

1

3. Handling fish 

Improper handling can damage fish by interference with the mucus or scales that form a protective barrier to 

bacterial infections. The following methods can lessen the damage to fish: 

• Use nets with a fine, soft mesh and no knots. A tough mesh will often scrape the body and remove 

mucus. Large mesh may tear the fins and knotted mesh can remove scales and damage flesh. 

• Handle fish with wet hands or a wet towel. Dry hands will transmit infection and remove protective 

mucus. Gloves that are wet, open weaved and knotless are good for handling purposes. Be aware of 

sharp gill-rakers and dorsal spines common to some species. 

• Remember to handle large fish carefully. Lifting a large, struggling fish from the water by the mouth can 

damage the spinal structure or other parts of the fish. Support needs to be given. Fish of 2 kg or more 

need to be fully supported in a horizontal position with two hands or a knotless net. 

• Fish should be placed into suitably sized receptacles containing good quality water as soon as possible 

to minimise the handling time of the fish. 

Appendix D depicts equipment commonly used for fish salvage operations. 

4. Storing and transporting fish 

It is important to remove, store and release the fish as quickly as possible. Fish should be placed in large 

buckets or fish bins that have been filled with water from the site. Containers filled to the top are ideal, but 

the practicality of this is dependent on handling. For example, a 60 litre container of water will weigh at least 

60 kg. 

Fish must be kept in a container that allows them to swim comfortably in an upright position. The container 

should have soft, rounded surfaces and a lid that keeps the fish in a darkened environment. The size of the 

container is dependent on the size and number of the fish that will be kept. As a guide, 0.2 kg of fish per litre 

of water is acceptable. Too many fish in one container will use the available oxygen and fish will stress. A 

100 L container is usually suitable for very small fish salvage operations, while portable swimming pools 

may be necessary on a large fish salvage operation. Keep observing the fish for signs of stress such as 

increased gill movements or swimming at the surface. 

Water conditions in the containers should be monitored continuously. Change the water or release 

fish downstream regularly. Regular additions of fresh water will ensure appropriate oxygen levels are 

maintained. As a guide, change 25% to 50% of water hourly, depending on conditions. Oxygen levels of 

5 mg/litre or higher will be sufficient to allow survival of the fish. These can be maintained using an aerating 

device that bubbles oxygen at a rate of 2 to 4 litres per second. In very hot conditions, water condition can 

quickly deteriorate. Water should be changed more frequently in hot conditions as it will lose oxygen more 

quickly. If possible, keep the containers in the shade while working. 

A small pump to continuously change the water would be beneficial. If the water is being changed via a 

hose and is being drained on land, the hose should be screened in someway to prevent fish from being 

transported through. 

It may be possible to sluice fish directly from the waterhole into the river. Where this is practical it is a better 

option than transportation. An ideal sluice would consist of large diameter PVC pipe with smooth joints or 

a smooth earthen channel lined with a continuous length of plastic. The slope of the sluice should be no 

more than a ratio of 1:10 and must be provided with an auxillary flow of water when sluicing fish. The pool at 

the base of the sluice should be deep enough to cushion the descent of the largest fish. Approximately 

1 metre would be a suitable minimum depth for the receiving pool. 

5. Releasing fish 

Fish need to be released carefully. Do not dump them from a height. If possible, place the container in the 

water and allow the fish to swim away. If water temperatures are the same, then a release by scoop net may 

be possible. If the temperature of the water in the transport container is appreciably different to that at 

the release site, water should be exchanged to equalise the temperature difference before release. These 

actions will minimise stress. 

2

6. Action in the event of a fish kill 

In the event of a fish kill resulting from the construction or placement of waterway barrier works, 

Queensland Fisheries Service (QFS) should be notified as soon as possible. The Environmental Protection 

Agency (EPA) may also have to be notified. Refer to their web site – www.epa.qld.gov.au/environmental 

management/water/water quality monitoring/fish kill reporting – or call their pollution hotline number on 

1300 130 372. 

7. Removing the temporary bunds 

The most downstream bund should be removed first. The following precautions should be implemented to 

minimise disturbance to the sediment and surrounding banks. 

• All barrier material must be removed away from the aquatic environment. 

• Silt fences must be used to prevent erosion. 

• Natural stream channel to be reinstated. 

• The banks of the stream must be returned to their original state, including natural contours, and 

vegetation composition and density. 

• An aquatic environment similar to that which existed prior to the commencement of works is to be 

reinstated. 

Further information 

In the event of a fish kill during fish salvage operations, please contact your regional QFS office: 

Habitat Manager, Southern Fisheries Centre (NSW border to Sarina) 

Telephone (07) 4035 0100 

Habitat Manager, Northern Fisheries Centre (north of Sarina) 

Telephone (07) 3817 9500 

or 

Freshwater Group, Primary Industries Building 

Telephone (07) 3225 2239 

Further information about fisheries issues can be obtained from the DPI&F Call Centre on 13 25 23. 

3

Appendix A – Selected native fish species found in 

Queensland drainage divisions 

Gulf of Carpentaria 

Common name 

Barramundi 

Blue or salmon catfish 

Coal grunter 

Common archer fish 

Empire gudgeon 

Goby 

Hyrtl's tandan 

Long tom 

Long-finned eel 

Mangrove jack 

Mouth almighty 

Northern saratoga 

Rainbowfish 

Silver batfish 

Sleepy cod 

Snub-nosed garfish 

Sooty grunter 

Spangled perch 

Tarpon 

Trout gudgeon 

Species name 

Lates calcarifer 

Arius graeffei 

Hephaestus carbo 

Toxotes chatareus 

Hypseleotris compressa 

Family Gobiidae 

Neosilurus hyrtlii 

Strongylura krefftii 

Anguilla reinhardti 

Lutjanus argentimaculatus 

Glossamia aprion 

Scleropages jardinii 

Family Melanotaeniidae 

Monodactylus argenteus 

Oxyeleotris lineolatus 

Arrhamphus sclerolepis 

Hephaestus fuliginosus 

Leiopotherapon unicolor 

Megalops cyprinoides 

Mogurnda mogurnda 

4

East coast – southern 

Common name 

Australian bass 

Australian smelt 

Barramundi 


Common jollytail 

Eel-tailed catfish 


Firetail gudgeon 

Freshwater mullet 

Goby 

Honey blue-eye 


Jungle perch 


Mangrove jack 

Mary River cod 


Oxleyan pygmy perch 

Purple-spotted gudgeon 

Queensland lungfish 

Rainbowfish 

Sea mullet 

Short-finned eel 


Small-headed grunter 



Striped gudgeon 

Tarpon 

Western carp gudgeon 

Species name 

Macquaria novemaculeata 

Retropinna semoni 



Galaxias maculatus 

Tandanus tandanus 


Hypseleotris galii 

Myxus petardi 


Pseudomugil mellis 


Kuhlia rupestris 

Anguilla reinhardtii 


Maccullochella peelii mariensis 


Nannoperca oxleyana 

Mogurnda adspersa 

Neoceratodus forsteri 


Mugil cephalus 

Anguilla australis 


Scortum parviceps 



Gobiomorphus australis 


Hypseleotris klunzingeri 

5

East coast – central 

Common name 


Barramundi 





Goby 

Golden perch or yellowbelly 


Jungle perch 

Long tom 


Mangrove jack 



Sea mullet 


Sleepy cod 


Sooty grunter 

South Pacific eel 

Southern saratoga 


Tarpon 

Species name 








Macquaria ambigua sp. 








Mugil cephalus 





Anguilla obscura 

Scleropages leichardti 



6

East coast – northern 

Common name 

Barramundi 


Bony bream 

Coal grunter 



Goby 


Jungle perch 

Long tom 


Mangrove jack 



Rainbowfish 

Red-tailed jungle perch 


Sleepy cod 


Sooty grunter 

South Pacific eel 


Tarpon 

Trout gudgeon 

Species name 



Nematolosa erebi 

Hephaestus carbo 












Kuhlia marginata 





Anguilla obscura 



Mogurnda mogurnda 

7

Murray-Darling 

Common name 


Bony bream 




Murray cod 


River blackfish 

Short-finned eel 

Silver perch 

Spangled perch/grunter 

Western carp gudgeon 

Species name 






Maccullochella peelii peelii 


Gadopsis marmoratus 

Anguilla australis 

Bidyanus bidyanus 


Hypseleotris klunzingeri 

Bulloo-Bancannia 

Common name 

Barcoo grunter 

Goby 




Trout gudgeon 

Welch's grunter 

Species name 

Scortum barcoo 





Mogurnda sp. 

Bidyanus welchi 

Lake Eyre 

Common name 


Barcoo grunter 

Bony bream 

Goby 




Trout gudgeon 

Welch's grunter 

Species name 


Scortum barcoo 






Mogurnda sp. 

Bidyanus welchi 

8

Appendix B – Application for general fisheries permit 

Form 12 

(office use only) 

Queensland Fisheries Service 

CN 

RN 

$ 

FISHERIES ACT 1994 

NOT/APPROVED 

APPLICATION FOR 

.......................................... 

DATE ............................... 

GENERAL FISHERIES PERMIT 

All applications to be forwarded to: Queensland Fisheries Service, Department of Primary Industries, GPO Box 2764, Brisbane Qld 4001. 

For information contact:- (07) 3225 1880 or (07) 3225 1852 or fax 3221 8793 

ABN 78 342 684 030 

Privacy Notice - The information you provide to Queensland Fisheries Service on this form is made available to the public in the Register of 

Authorities under Section 73 of the Fisheries Act 1994. You must therefore provide a mailing/business address in the knowledge that it may be 

released under a search. You must also provide a residential address for the purpose of serving notices under Fisheries Regulation. The residential 

address will not be made available under a search of the Register unless it is also the mailing/business address. It is mandatory to provide an address 

in both sections. 

DETAILS OF APPLICANT - PLEASE USE BLOCK LETTERS 

Registered Company Name: ............................................................................................................................................................................................. 

or Family Name: ....................................................................................... Given Names: ............................................................................................ 

A mailing/business address must be provided in the space below. 

This can be a Post Office Box address. 

These details will be made available on the DPI Register 

Mailing/Business address: 

A residential address must be provided in the space below. This cannot be 

a Post Office Box address. 

*These details will remain confidential to the Department unless 

also listed in the mailing/business address section. 

*Residential Address: 

Telephone: 

Postcode: 

DECLARATION BY APPLICANT 

I apply for a permit to: 

take fish or other specimens listed 

*Residential Telephone Number: 

*Mobile Number: 

*Email: 

Postcode: 

*Fax: 

indicate the No. of fish/specimens to be taken 

list the location where the fish/specimens will be taken (be specific) 

Please attach a copy of any animal ethics approval obtained for research projects. 

I will use the following boat /apparatus for collection of the fish/specimens: 

Boat Mark Boat Name 

Length(m) Beam(m) 

Tonnage 

Type of net 

Number of nets 

Length of net 

Mesh size 

Other apparatus 

The permit is required for the following period. 

FROM / / TO / / 

I enclose the Assessment/Permit Fee of $ 

I acknowledge that a receipt is not an authority for the purposes of the Act and that any refund will be paid to the Applicant. 

................................................. .................................................................................... 

(Date) 

(Signature of Applicant) 

N.B. Must be signature of person whose name appears above. 

Please attach any additional information you wish to support your application. 

Note: (1) If the licence is held in the name of a registered company, a copy of the current "Company Extract" issued by the Australian 

Securities and Investment Commission should be provided. You may provide the copy with this application, or alternatively, by 

contacting this office the copy can be arranged on your behalf (fees apply). 

(2) This application may be subject to notification under the NATIVE TITLE ACT 1993. If notification is necessary additional information 

may be required, and some delays may be experienced. 

Please Debit my: American Express Bankcard Mastercard Visa Card 

Card Number:................................................................................ Name:............................................................................ 

Expiry Date:........../........... Amount to be debited$...............-........... Signature:..................................................................... 

2001/01 

9

Appendix C – Priority noxious and non-indigenous fish species to be killed 

and disposed of away from the waterway 

Noxious/non-indigenous fish 

Tilapia (Oreochromis mossambicus) 

Description 

Colouration is pale olive to silver grey with 

2 to 5 dark blotches on the side. Breeding males 

are almost black with red edging on their fins. 

These fish grow to 36 cm. 

Tilapia (Tilapia mariae) 

Colouration is variable from dark olive green to 

light yellowish green with vertical stripes on the 

head and body. These fish grow to 25 to 30 cm. 

Carp (Cyprinus carpio) 

Colouration is highly variable. May be bronze or 

olive gold, becoming pale yellow or whitish on the 

sides and belly. They have a deeply forked tail, 

single dorsal fin and fleshy whiskers (or barbels) 

at either corner of the upper lip. Can rarely grow to 

120 cm, but more common at 30 to 40cm. 

Mosquitofish or Gambusia (Gambusia spp.) 

Female 

Colouration varies with habitat, but they are 

usually dark grey or olive on the head and back and 

lighter on the belly. They have faint pigment spots 

on the fins and under the eyes. They have large 

scales, stocky bodies and grow to less than 7 cm. 

Mosquitofish or Gambusia (Gambusia spp.) 

Male 

Males are slimmer than females and have a 

modified anal fin which forms a gonopodium. 

10

Goldfish (Carassius auratus) 

Colouration varies from bright yellow to black and 

many have a mottled appearance.The colour of a 

goldfish is related closely to the habitat in which 

it lives. Goldfish are often mistaken for carp, but 

unlike carp they lack barbels on either corner of 

their upper lip. These fish grow to around 36 cm, 

but have been recorded at lengths of up to 45 cm. 

Sailfin molly (Poecilia latipinna) 

Colouration is highly varied from green, grey and 

black. The large sail-like fin of the male is the most 

distinctive characteristic of this species and is often 

tipped black. The head is dorsally flattened with an 

upturned mouth. Females grow to 10 cm and males 

to 15 cm. 

Guppy (Poecilia reticulata) 

Female 

Colouration is highly variable. They may be plain 

silvery-grey, with a bright silvery-blue tail, or their 

bodies may have yellow or red flecks. Their tails 

are large and fan-like and can be bright red with 

black trimming or have dark blotches with patches 

of blue, red and yellow shading. Guppies are small 

fish generally only growing to around 6 cm. 

Guppy (Poecilia reticulata) 

Male 

The male is usually smaller and brighter in colour 

than the female. They grow to 3 cm. 

Swordtail (Xiphophorus helleri) 

Female 

Wild-caught fish are usually pale brown, with a 

brighter green back and silver underside. Swordtails 

are stout-bodied fish, similar in appearance to 

platies. Females grow to 16 cm. 

Swordtail (Xiphophorus helleri) 

Male 

Males can be distinguished from females by their 

long sword-like tail. Males grow to 14 cm. 

11

Platy (Xiphophorus maculatus) 

Female 

In the wild, they are yellow-olive brown in colour with 

2 to 5 distinct bars along their body. Platies are stout 

fish rounded dorsal and tail fins and an upturned mouth. 

They grow to around 6 cm. 

Platy (Xiphophorus maculatus) 

Male 

Males are smaller than females and have the anal fin 

modified as a gonopodium. 

Oriental weatherloach (Misgurnus anguillicaudatus) 

Colouration is olive-green along the back, becoming 

paler along the belly. Bodies are long and eel-like and 

covered in dark blotches which disappear towards the 

belly. They are circular at the front, but flatten towards 

the tail. They have 10 barbels around the mouth. These 

fish grow to approximately 25 cm. 

12

Appendix D – Equipment commonly used in fish salvage operations 

Fish bin 

Seine net 

Scoop net 

Cast net 

13

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Fish salvage guidelines - Department of Primary Industries

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