Bold moves by conservationists to protect the critically endangered Spotted Handfish. Unfortunately, this irreplaceable species has now declined to fewer than 3,000 individuals left on the ocean floor. The breeding program launched in 2017. Now its aim is to increase the population of this rare fish, which is mostly only found in Tasmania. Juvenile Spotted Handfish have been recently distributed into their native waters. This initiative represents a hopeful turning point in their conservation efforts.
The program has set up two satellite populations at Seahorse World and the Melbourne Aquarium. These facilities have pioneered techniques to breed Spotted Handfish in captivity, using cutting-edge procedures and artificial spawning caves. Tasmanian artist Jane Bamford has had a considerable and colorful hand in shaping this new-to-the-Tasmanian scene initiative. She designed 7,500 hand-made ceramic spawning poles to do the work. These artificial reefs create a protected space where fish can find refuge and safely lay their eggs.
Last week, researchers celebrated a major breakthrough in the breeding program. They are using ultrasound technology to establish the sex of the Spotted Handfish. This discovery makes it possible to conduct far more focused breeding efforts, breeding just the right plants to make the program as successful as possible. Back in November of 2022, 35 eggs hatched out beautifully. After all this work, we are excited to announce that we just released 15 six‐month‐old juveniles back into the wild.
Release into the Wild
On that momentous day, conservationists from Seahorse World tracked their fish to secret locations along the River Derwent and within the D’Entrecasteaux Channel. Today’s release is an important milestone towards returning the species to its historic range. It used to be abundant everywhere around Tasmania.
Carlie Devine, a key figure in the breeding project, expressed enthusiasm about the release:
“Today is our first ever release of captive-bred juveniles, so we’re very excited to put them in the water.”
This juvenile Spotted Handfish, one of about 40 millimeters in length, will reach an adult size of around 120 millimeters. And so they typed in “handfish hotels.” These netted enclosures allow the fish to adjust to open water before their eventual release.
Devine emphasized the importance of supporting these young fish as they transition into their natural environment:
“Once we remove the hotels, hopefully they will go on their merry way and integrate.”
Monitoring and Future Plans
Our conservation team isn’t leaving anything to chance when it comes to the survival of these fragile little fish. And over in California, they’ve set up an ambitious, intensive monitoring program to closely track the released juveniles. This will be accompanied by ongoing monitoring of their health and the environmental quality in their new home.
Devine further elaborated on their commitment to ensuring the juvenile fish adapt well:
“We will have an intensive monitoring program … we will check on the fish and do a hotel room service every couple of days to make sure they are all good and happy.”
Devine expressed optimism about the resilience of Spotted Handfish:
“They are very hardy fish so we are positive that they will be fine.”
Releasing these fish should only be the beginning of the fight. This is part of a long-term strategy aimed at increasing the Spotted Handfish numbers. Rachelle Hawkins, another member of the conservation team, highlighted the significance of this event:
“To be able to release them back into the wild is super exciting.”
The Importance of Conservation Efforts
The challenges are great for our Spotted Handfish. Once common throughout Tasmania, their population has drastically dropped by more than 80 percent over the past three generations, largely from habitat destruction and other environmental stresses. These shared collaborative pursuits among artists, scientists, and aquarists highlight just how important community engagement is to the work of conservation.
The continued efforts in breeding and releasing Spotted Handfish into their native environment serve as a beacon of hope for other endangered species facing similar threats. With dedicated programs like this one, there’s hope for turning the tide and returning harmony to these delicate ecosystems.
“It was time for scientists to step in and give them a helping hand.”
The continued efforts in breeding and releasing Spotted Handfish into their native environment serves as a beacon of hope for other endangered species facing similar threats. With dedicated programs like this one, there is optimism for reversing trends and restoring balance to fragile ecosystems.
