The short-finned eel (Anguilla australis) is a catadromous fin-fish native to lakes, and coastal rivers of south-eastern Australia and New Zealand. The species is commercially targeted by wild and farm fisheries across its range and carries significant cultural importance in Australia, particularly in the UNESCO world heritage listed Budj Bim cultural landscape of southwestern Victoria. Here the species has formed the basis of an ancient aquaculture system dating back almost 7000 years and continues to link people and place, providing a connection to past generations, country and culture.
However, like many Anguillid eel species around the world, A. australis populations have suffered significant declines in recent decades, with reductions in juvenile recruitment being attributed to climate change and over exploitation by commercial fisheries. These declines have raised concerns for the conservation of this culturally important species and the sustainability of commercial eel fisheries. Consequently, there is a growing urgency for an improved understanding of eel ecology and biology to inform future management.
In this presentation I will discuss my current research using eDNA technologies to assess short-finned eel spatial ecology and habitat use in partnership with Traditional Owners, State Government, and commercial fisheries operators. This program is largely focussed on characterising the distribution of key habitats and refugia within the Budj Bim cultural landscape to help inform future management, by aiming to characterise catchment resilience to help preserve cultural values and eel fisheries.