How You Can Help Stop The Spread of Tilapia in the Walsh and Mitchell River Catchments
Tilapia, a declared noxious fish originally from Africa, can wipe out native fish species and damage water quality if not detected and removed early enough. Mitchell River Watershed Management Group is working with the Australian Centre for Tropical Freshwater Research to provide the public with information about the control of this pest fish species. The attached powerpoint presentation is all about the successful Tilapia eradication campaign in Eureka Creek in Oct. 2008 and the successful return of native species.
If you catch a fish that looks like Tilapia, take a photo of it, or put it in a plastic bag, contact the Fisheries Pest Fish Hotline on 13 25 23 or 1800 017 116 (A/H) and pass the photo or fish on to someone who can confirm the identification and take action.
Tilapia has spread through 3,000 kilometres of the Burdekin River over a 4 year period and will become the dominant species in this catchment. The only way to prevent more waterways becoming overwhelmed by Tilapia is for the public to actively report any sightings and enable an early and effective response wherever possible.
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Quoll Survey on Cape York
Have you seen a quoll on Cape York?
The Northern Quoll, once known as the native cat, used to be common on Cape York Peninsula. It apparently disappeared from the Peninsula in the 1980s and early 1990s. It is likely that the Cane Toad’s arrival was responsible for this; quolls die when they try to eat the poisonous toads.
The huge drop in numbers does not necessarily mean they are extinct on Cape York Peninsula. Around Lakeland Downs and Cooktown, Northern Quolls have learnt to live with toads; though just how is not known.
Zoologists, John Winter and Scot Burnett have a Caring for our Country grant to look for surviving populations of the quoll on the Peninsula.
Scott will be training community groups, starting with the Land and Sea Rangers at Lockhart River, in the use of infrared cameras to look for quolls. John is seeking the help of Cape York residents to report any sightings of quolls.
A quoll is a marsupial, about the size of a small domestic cat, has a brown body covered with cream spots, a black, slightly bushy tail, pointed snout and sharp teeth. Quolls are predators and unfortunately tend to get a bad name because they love to eat chooks.
If you see any or know of places where quolls have been seen recently, please contact John - phone 4097 0048, PO Box 151 Ravenshoe 4888, or by email jw.winter@bigpond.com
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