BARRAMUNDI MAY BE IN HOT WATER FROM CLIMATE CHANGE

Warmer water may drive North Queensland’s best known fish, the barramundi, further south and reduce wild barra numbers, according to new research project being done by Queensland Government climate scientists.

Natural Resources and Water Minister Craig Wallace said researchers from the Queensland Climate Change Centre of Excellence (QCCCE) had found projected rises in sea water temperatures due to global warming may affect the distribution of wild barramundi.

Mr Wallace said the fish were traditionally found in rivers and along coastlines in tropical and subtropical areas.

“The barra is a Queensland and Australian icon,” Mr Wallace said.

“From personal experience I can say it is one of the best fish to catch and to eat in the world,” he said.

“The fish is important to the State’s fishery - each year in Queensland 800 to 900 tonnes (whole weight) of wild barramundi is caught.”

Mr Wallace said QCCCE research indicated several factors including rainfall, freshwater flows, evaporation and sea surface temperature may all impact on the distribution and commercial catch of wild barramundi in North Queensland.

“While the six-year study is still in its early stages, changes in fish habitat brought on by climate change may reduce wild barramundi numbers,” he said.

“This could particularly occur where reduced rainfall and freshwater flows combine with higher evaporation to reduce the area of shallow wetlands where the fish breed.

“QCCCE research also suggests warmer water due to climate change could force wild barramundi to shift further south.”

Mr Wallace said the study was looking at historical temperature, rainfall and evaporation date from the Bureau of Meteorology, streamflow data from Natural Resources and Water scientists and sea surface temperature data from the National Centre for Environmental Prediction in the US.

It uses CSIRO climate change projections for 2030 and 2070 and compares this to historical data to determine the effect of climate change on barramundi catch.

Fish catch figures were obtained from the Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries from their online CFISH database.

Mr Wallace said scientists were primarily focussed on barramundi in the Princess Charlotte Bay area, 350 kilometres northwest of Cairns.

“This area was chosen because there is little human activity to affect the study results,” Mr Wallace said.

All is not lost for the barra – help may be at hand.

“The QCCCE research could help the fishing industry plan for the future and avoid losing income as fish numbers change,” Mr Wallace said.

“Our research could also help with plans to ensure the continued health of the species, such as the release of fingerlings,” he said.

Once the study is completed, Mr Wallace said the information could be included in conservation and natural resource management programs.

Mr Wallace said the research did not include artificial habitats for barramundi, such as fish farms.

The Beattie Government established the Queensland Climate Change Centre of Excellence in March.

It is the first centre of its kind in Australia, making Queensland a national leader in helping the community understand and prepare for the effects of climate change.

Media contact: Paul Childs, Craig Wallace’s office, on 0407 131 654 or Caroline Kaurila on 0414 213 954.