Handfish Conservation Project | Environmental conservation organisation

Handfish Conservation Project

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25.01.2022 Beautiful image of a Spotted handfish captured by Submerged Images Tasmania and interview via ABC Hobart: https://ab.co/39twOLv

25.01.2022 Via The Revelator (and Center for Biological Diversity): 'This past year scientists and conservation organizations declared a long list of species may have gone extinct. The causes range from diseases to invasive species to habitat loss, but most boil down to human behavior. Of course, proving a negative is always hard, and scientists are often cautious about declaring species truly lost. Do it too soon, they warn, and the last conservation efforts necessary to save a species could evaporate'.

25.01.2022 Pins designed by Red Parka by Jennifer Cossins now available as Red handfish! Available at The Red Parka Shop in Hobart - and a portion of the cost goes to handfish conservation. Once again thanking local artists for helping highlight the plight of handfish (and other local species!) and supporting conservation work in Tasmania

25.01.2022 Very grateful to National Geographic for this feature on handfish. Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies - IMAS CSIRO Marine Biodiversity Hub Seahorse World Sea World Research, Rescue & Conservation University of Tasmania

24.01.2022 Extract from The Australian Museum Magazine, Sept 30, 1949: ‘When the cry goes up, All hands on deck! the skipper hardly expects the fish of the sea to turn and report for duty. Yet the hands aboard a trawler would perhaps not be so surprised as other seamen if this absurdity came to pass, for they are sometimes confronted by a little fish which actually walks on the deck by means of its hand- or leg- like fins. What is this quaint apparition of the deep?... This little fish is no Caliban evoking cries from Trinculo, but is a Handfish, a comical little customer at any time, yet of much scientific interest as it seems to be the most primitive type of Angler Fish in the world today’.

24.01.2022 In the lead-up to the release of juvenile red handfish, we worked with the Tasmanian Commercial Divers Association to tackle *one* of the key issues threatening red handfish populations: habitat loss through urchin overgrazing. We’d like to thank Tasmanian Commercial Divers Association, for their valuable contribution to restoring red handfish habitat. This work has provided much needed, albeit temporary, relief for these areas. ... Read more:

23.01.2022 It's great to see Katherine Richardson Creative's 'Diary of a Red handfish' will be used as prescribed text in the Charles Sturt University Australian Children's Literature class this year! Thanks to Katherine for her work in inspiring the next generation of scientists and artists! https://katherinerichardson.net//diary-of-a-red-handfish-/

23.01.2022 It's on again! Paint a handfish! A huge thanks to Archaica Schola for helping generate awareness about handfish AND for donation a portion of fees to the project. Can't wait! https://www.facebook.com/events/2606910099564205/

22.01.2022 A great article in the Australian National Maritime Museum's quarterly magazine ('Signals') on conservation efforts for Spotted handfish. Artist Jane Bamford and CSIRO scientist Dr Tim Lynch talk about art-science collaborations in helping protect Spotted handfish. https://issuu.com/anmmuseum/docs/signals131_spreads... (Images: Alex Hormann, Laura Smith, CSIRO, Uffe Schultz, Leah Soo)

22.01.2022 A FANTASTIC short film on red handfish thanks to Great Southern Reef featuring Associate Professor Rick Stuart-Smith (from Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies - IMAS, University of Tasmania, Marine Biodiversity Hub and Reef Life Survey Foundation (RLS))

21.01.2022 This Saturday! Spaces are limited - please book online

21.01.2022 We’ve been overwhelmed by engagement & support from artists helping the drive to better understand and protect handfish. It has also allowed us, as scientists, to explore alternative ways to communicate with the community. With that in mind, we’d like to share this online event, created by The Parallel Effect: a vigil for the smooth handfish. Extract:... The Smooth handfish a sea dweller with bulging eyes, a mohawk on its head, and hand-like fins that allowed it to walk on the seabed...was, in July this year, declared extinct. For many of us, 2020 in particular, has given multiple pauses to rethink the question, ‘What does it take to survive?’ The intention is to provide a space for a digital congregation, to contemplate loss, grief, the parameters of care, the interconnectedness of conservation and radical hope, and collaborative survival.

21.01.2022 Spotted handfish guarding eggs on ascidian (Image Adam Duraj, 2014)

21.01.2022 A Practical Introduction to Temperate Marine Biology course is offered through Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies - IMAS (experience a week as a marine biologist!). This intro course is aimed at year 11 & 12 students (from around Australia). Applications close Feb 24 (scholarships available!) More info: https://bit.ly/3d6eDij

20.01.2022 Wishing you all an enjoyable Xmas break and happy holidays and thank you for your support over the year. (Image: The Changesmiths- who will be supporting the project in the new year with cards and prints as per the beautiful image below...minus the hat!).

19.01.2022 Don't forget to book your spot in the handfish paint n sip session on August 1st with Archaica Schola! (Painting experience not needed!)

19.01.2022 We caught up with Carlie Devine, CSIRO photographer, scientific diver and research technician, to chat about her work over the years with with Spotted handfish:

18.01.2022 Huge thanks to Red Parka by Jennifer Cossins for their support of the Handfish Conservation Project. We’re grateful to be included in the list of organisations they support - they recently donated $10K across over 20 organisations! Check them out when you’re next in town (22 Criterion St, Hobart) or shop online redparka.com.au (where you can pick up both spotted and red handfish pins!). (Image: Red Parka by Jennifer Cossins)

18.01.2022 Some upcoming underwater themed talks this Saturday including handfish conservation, marine archaeology, underwater rescues, & Redmap - What's on the move in Australian seas? The talks will be streamed on Facebook (via event page): https://www.facebook.com/events/704035860169887/... Thanks to the Tasmanian Mermaids for putting the event together and inviting us to talk about handfish

17.01.2022 Spotted handfish (image Adam Duraj)

16.01.2022 New children's book! This beautiful picture book by Gina Newton and Rachel Tribout is about a quirky little fish that is famous for walking on its 'hands' (published by CSIRO Publishing). It is the story of a quirky and primitive little fish that is famous for two reasons: walking on its ‘hands’ (pectoral fins), and being one of the first marine fish in the world to be listed as Critically Endangered on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.... Hold On! Saving the Spotted Handfish is perfect for primary aged readers.

15.01.2022 Big thanks to Blackmans Bay Primary School (& teacher Carolyn Coote) who invited us to talk about handfish recently. Grade 2 & Grade 6 students had done their own research putting together posters and creating plasticine handfish models. A ton of highlights none more so than being asked by a Grade 2 student whether scientists had thought about "moving the baby Red handfish to places where the seaweed was healthy without pollution and urchins". ...Thinking about transloc...ation as a conservation tool. In Grade 2... WOW. Students took home a handfish poster thanks to Marine Biodiversity Hub, Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies - IMAS, CSIRO

15.01.2022 Great article on handfishes thanks to Dr Maarten De Brauwer! (Images: Tyson Bessell, Rick Stuart-Smith)

14.01.2022 Great to see this sighting of an Australian handfish (Brachionichthys australis) by Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies - IMAS researcher Assoc Prof Neville Barrett. The image was captured using baited remote underwater video (at 130m depth). This is the only handfish species not thought to be threatened. It has the widest distribution throughout SE Australia, although estimation of population trends is difficult for these deep water species.

14.01.2022 Today is National Threatened Species Day - a good time to highlight there are 7 species of handfish that are considered threatened on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species (and a further 5 species listed as Data Deficient). (: Spotted handfish, Adam Duraj)

13.01.2022 World, meet 'Benni'! Benni was named by local Tasmanian artist Benni (thank you!) - whose work is inspired by the marine realm - including Spotted handfish! To view some of her work: ... https://www.marinedesignsbenni.com https://www.facebook.com/marinedesignsBenni/ (Image: Tyson Bessell)

13.01.2022 Coming soon thanks to a very talented local artist Katherine Richardson Creative - a children's book on red handfish! Follow Katherine's page for updates and info on how to get your 'hands' on a copy...

11.01.2022 A huge thanks to Kingston Library for hosting a handfish display throughout August (as part of a 'deep blue' themed exhibition). We’re lucky enough (and grateful!) to be featuring handfish art from a number of local Tasmanian artists, as well as providing (free) information brochures & posters on Spotted and Red handfish thanks to Marine Biodiversity Hub Please head along to check out the display!... Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies - IMAS CSIRO Jane Bamford Wilderness Bling Benni Poco People Archaica Schola Katherine Richardson Creative Manning Polymer Clay The Changesmiths Silverfish Collections

11.01.2022 A huge shout-out to Archaica Schola for their recent 'paint & sip' session featuring handfish. A portion of the fees were donated to handfish conservation - an extremely generous contribution, particularly in these times. We'd also like to thank Hamish and the Archaica Schola team for their efforts in highlighting the plight of handfish. Improving the profile of these species and generating awareness is crucial for being able to continue our conservation work. THANK YOU.

10.01.2022 Recent Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies - IMAS fieldwork for Red handfish included finding this very small wild baby (i.e. not a captive-reared fish) with unusual PINK colouration! The fish size, habitat type, GPS location, and depth are recorded, and this information goes into a database so that we’re able to track it’s movement and growth over time. (Image: Jemina Stuart-Smith)... CSIRO University of Tasmania Australian Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment

10.01.2022 The Handfish Conservation Project has officially launched! The project is driven by the National Handfish Recovery Team and represents a collaborative research effort by IMAS, CSIRO, and other partners. The aim is to work towards conserving three handfish species within Tasmania: Red, Spotted, and Ziebell’s. ... To find out more go to handfish.org.au

09.01.2022 Re-sightings of our captive raised & released red handfish juveniles in the wild is important for informing us about the population AND for confirming our head-starting strategy as a viable option for bolstering population size. This Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies - IMAS-raised juvenile was re-sighted a week ago over 2 months after release. ( Tyson Bessell)... University of Tasmania CSIRO Seahorse World Australian Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment Marine Biodiversity Hub Department of Primary Industries, Parks, Water and Environment

09.01.2022 Back into fieldwork and monitoring red handfish populations! Pictured: Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies - IMAS PhD students Tyson Bessell (red handfish), and new PhD student Olivia Johnson (threatened marine species).

09.01.2022 Always good to see handfish in the highlight reel! Check out the latest annual report by the Reef Life Survey Foundation (RLS) team for a summary of their important contribution to Red handfish monitoring. A good opportunity to acknowledge and thank the volunteers who contribute to this work!... Download here: https://adobe.ly/35zyi6k

07.01.2022 Although we released a bunch of juvenile red handfish recently, we still have some in captivity to continue our conservation work. This week they celebrate their 1st birthday at IMAS, and some at Seahorse World are celebrating their 2nd birthday! We didn't know what to get them...(we went with amphipods).

06.01.2022 National Threatened Species Day (Sept 7) aims to raise awareness of plants/animals facing extinction. The University of Tasmania is hosting a public session highlighting some of Tasmania's threatened species - including handfish. Please register via the event page!

06.01.2022 Red handfish artwork by Melanie Stranger - The Changesmiths (on display at Kingston Library until the end of August)

06.01.2022 Thanks to Mongabay.com for this article highlighting the March 2020 updates to the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species which included assessment updates for all handfishes. This included formal listing of the world's first ever Extinct bony marine fish - the Smooth handfish. Images courtesy of Andrew Green, Antonia Cooper, Rick Stuart-Smith, Australian National Fish Collection, CSIRO).... *banner image: Red handfish (Critically Endangered)*

06.01.2022 Nice article (aimed at kids) about the work SEA LIFE Melbourne Aquarium are doing with Spotted handfish in captivity: using ULTRASOUND technology to determine fish gender (which will help inform captive breeding programs). We’re fortunate to be working with great industry partners from both SEA LIFE Melbourne Aquarium and Seahorse World

05.01.2022 This little Red handfish has been named 'Beserky'! Named by Beserk, an Australian alternative online store based in the sunny state. Beserk's owner was reading about red handfish over the weekend and wanted to contribute to the conservation work. We're super grateful - thank you!... (Image: Alex Hormann)

05.01.2022 A big shout out to Ocean Geographic for featuring this article on Red handfish in their latest magazine edition (written by Project coordinator, Dr Jemina Stuart-Smith). You can download an extract via the link below or the whole magazine with membership via: http://www.ogsociety.org/ Thank you to everyone who contributes to this critical conservation work, and to those who supplied images (Kris O'keeffe, Antonia Cooper, Rick Stuart-Smith)... Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies - IMAS University of Tasmania CSIRO Derwent Estuary Program Reef Life Survey Foundation (RLS) Seahorse World Sea World Research, Rescue & Conservation

05.01.2022 Red handfish colour palette....they’re not always red! They're anything from bright red, orange, patchy yellow to pale pink. (Images: Tyson Bessell, Rick Stuart-Smith)

05.01.2022 An article looking at the effectiveness of direct conservation action on saving species from extinction (via Mongabay.com).

04.01.2022 Spotted handfish have spots, red handfish are red, and Ziebell’s handfish. Are named in honour of Allen 'Alby' Ziebell who first collected the (now named) Ziebell's handfish some 50 years ago. We were lucky enough to get some info and images from Allen's son, Ian.... Read more: https://handfish.org.au/ziebells-handfish/ (Images within courtesy of Ian Ziebell, cover image by Andrew Green)

04.01.2022 Everyone, meet 'Lena'! Named after 'an animal-loving paramedic who is currently studying medicine' by her step-mother, Ina Bornkessel-Schlesewsky. Thank you for your generosity (and we wish Lena all the best in her studies!).... Lena is one of the smallest Red handfish recorded (36mm, first recorded in January 2020). ( Tyson Bessell)

03.01.2022 This red handfish has been named ‘Hope’ by the Hope-Suds team. Hope-Suds is a social enterprise run entirely by volunteers and sells soap through Hobart retail outlets and donates all proceeds to charity. They have been operating for three years but are now winding down. We’re incredibly grateful that they have chosen their final donation to go to the Handfish Conservation Project. ... Tyson Bessell

01.01.2022 Great to see Mount Nelson Primary School students have been learning about their local environmentincluding handfish! They've been using online resources from the Derwent Estuary Program, and we stopped by to answer some of the (many!) handfish related questions. Students were happy to each take away a Marine Biodiversity Hub handfish poster.... (Images by Grade 1-2 class - presented with class permission) Mount Nelson Primary School Association Mount Nelson Community Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies - IMAS University of Tasmania Derwent Estuary Program Australian Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment CSIRO Marine Biodiversity Hub Department of Primary Industries, Parks, Water and Environment Seahorse World Sea World Research, Rescue & Conservation