Threatened fishes in Australia–an overview |
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Authors: | D A Pollard B A Ingram J H Harris L F Reynolds |
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Institution: | N.S. W. Agriculture and Fisheries, Fisheries Research Institute, P.O. Box 21, Cronulla, N.S. W. 2230;N.S. W. Agriculture and Fisheries, Inland Fisheries Research Station, P.O. Box 182, Narrandera, N.S. W. 2700;NSW Agriculture and Fisheries, Information Systems Unit, P.O. Box K220, Haymarket, N.S. W. 2000, Australia |
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Abstract: | Considering the size of the continent, the Australian freshwater fish fauna is a relatively depauperate one, comprising only about 192 species (belonging to 34 families) which spend significant portions of their life cycles in freshwater habitats. Of these freshwater species, the latest (1989) analysis indicates that six can be classified as endangered, five as vulnerable, four as potentially threatened, two as indeterminate, 32 as restricted, and 16+ as of unknown status, totalling 65 + species. Thus approximately 34% of the entire Australian freshwater fish fauna falls within the above six conservation status categories, which were established by the Australian Society for Fish Biology in 1985. Conservation problems of these fishes, and particularly man-made changes to their habitats, are discussed, and some possible management solutions outlined. Brief mention is also made of several marine species which may also fall into one or more of the above conservation categories, although not enough information is yet available to classify them accurately. |
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Keywords: | Australia freshwater fishes marine fishes threatened species endangered species conservation status |
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