7 – The extent and adequacy of monitoring for Australian threatened freshwater fish species^91
the 31 species with current monitoring programs, 26 had targeted monitoring (19
EPBC-listed), with the remaining five species recorded as a by-catch of other
species-specific or generic monitoring.
Of the taxa where active monitoring was occurring, the metrics of coverage,
sampling periodicity and fit-for-purpose scored highest (mean scores of 4, 3.9 and
3.6, respectively, out of a maximum score of 5) (Fig. 7.1). The metrics that scored
poorly were data availability and reporting, demographic parameters, longevity
and design quality (power to detect trend) (mean scores of 2.1, 2.4, 2.6 and 2.7,
respectively). Metrics relating to coordination, and management linkage were
intermediate in their scores (mean scores of 3.4 and 3.1, respectively).
State government agencies conducted monitoring for 20 (65%) species with
active monitoring, non-government organisations two species (6.5%), universities
one species (3%), and a combination of the above covered eight species (26%).
EPBC-listed species scored significantly higher than species recognised as
threatened by ASFB but not EPBC for data availability and design quality, non-
significantly higher for sampling periodicity and longevity (Table 7.2); EPBC-listed
species scored similarly to non EPBC-listed species on all other metrics. Species
with a recovery plan scored significantly higher than species without a recovery
plan for every metric (Table 7.2).
Monitoring coverage and longevity metrics were significantly different
between EPBC classifications (Table 7.2). Fish listed as Endangered scored
significantly higher for coverage and longevity than fish listed as Vulnerable. Near
significant differences were found between EPBC classifications for coordination
F i g. 7.1. The extent and adequacy of monitoring for 57 Australian threatened freshwater fish taxa. Shading
on each horizontal bar (representing the named metric) indicates the percentage of taxa in each score class,
from 0 (no monitoring, palest shading) to 5 (optimal monitoring, darkest shading).