Summary
The Otway Ranges are home to several endemic freshwater crustaceans, including the Otway Bush Yabby (Geocharax tasmanicus), which is listed as Endangered under Victoria’s Flora and Fauna Guarantee Act. Despite its legal status, the species is still sold and used as bait by recreational fishers, with little knowledge of its current population status.
There are almost no studies on this species, apart from a 2015 expedition suggesting that Otway Bush Yabbies recover more slowly from harvesting than common Cherax yabbies and may be outcompeted by them. Other potential threats include agricultural land changes, habitat loss, and climate change. Critically, there is no Action Statement or recovery plan for this species.
This project will deliver the first targeted surveys and establish long-term monitoring for the Otway Bush Yabby, providing the knowledge and partnerships needed to guide its recovery and protection.
Project Strategy
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Conduct baseline surveys across the Otway region using nets, traps, and environmental DNA techniques.
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Establish long-term monitoring sites to track population status and threats.
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Engage with land managers, recreational fishers, Traditional Owners, and fisheries authorities to build support.
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Raise community awareness through volunteer engagement, education, and citizen science.
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Draft an Action Statement and recovery plan to guide future conservation.
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Investigate population status of other threatened Otway crustaceans (Otway Burrowing Crayfish Engaeus fultoni, Engaeus sericatus, Phreatoicopsis terricola), and explore potential presence of Geocharax falcata and Engaeus merosetosus.
Key Achievements (expected)
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First systematic population surveys for Otway Bush Yabby.
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Establishment of an iNaturalist project to expand community records.
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Creation of a working group for Otway freshwater crustaceans.
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Drafting of Action Statements and a recovery plan.
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Publication of findings in a scientific journal.
Partners
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Threatened Species Conservancy (TSC) – Project leadership and delivery
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University partners – Environmental DNA research and analysis
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Fisheries authorities and land managers – Policy and management input
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Traditional Owners and community volunteers – Engagement and on-ground monitoring
Conservation Status
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Otway Bush Yabby (Geocharax tasmanicus) – Endangered (FFG Act)
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Other target species: Otway Burrowing Crayfish (Engaeus fultoni), Engaeus sericatus, Phreatoicopsis terricola, with investigations into Geocharax falcata and Engaeus merosetosus.
Costs
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Basic Program ($15,000–$20,000): Awareness, consultations, single-season surveys, iNaturalist project.
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Medium Program ($25,000–$50,000): Expanded surveys, Action Statement, eDNA work, working group.
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High Program ($50,000–$150,000): Recovery plan, multiple breeding season surveys, eDNA, working group, peer-reviewed publication.
