In late April, the IFS and CSIRO researcher Andrew Bissett collaborated to undertake environmental DNA (eDNA) water sampling in the Arthur River, located on the remote NW coast. This technique enables the detection and monitoring of organisms, by collecting and analysing DNA which is naturally shed into the environment.

DNA was collected from several litres of water and will enable assessment of biodiversity within the river and surrounds.  The main species of interest for detection in this survey is the estuary perch, which are only found in the Arthur River in Tasmania. A total of 21 water samples were collected, across a total distance of approx. 17.5 km from the mouth to above the confluence with the Frankland River.    

The results of this survey will hopefully provide further insight into the distribution and habitat use of estuary perch throughout the river system. It will also complement eDNA data which has been collected from several rivers in northern Tasmania by the water team in NRE Tas/CSIRO, in particular Ansons River and Ansons Bay which was the last known other water estuary perch were confirmed to inhabit.

The eDNA information collected from the Arthur River will also serve as baseline information which can be used when surveying other potential rivers for the presence of estuary perch. This in turn will play a crucial role in the development of an estuary perch recovery program, which will investigate the feasibility of hatchery rearing of fry, and the potential to re-stock the Arthur River and other water bodies as insurance populations. A broader animal biodiversity list for the Arthur River environment will also be constructed from the DNA sampled, which is especially important for such a remote water.