Tiny South West fish a new addition to Australia’s threatened species list

A tiny South West Fish has been added to Australia’s threatened species list along with a range of other native plants and animals.

The western mud minnow joined nine other Australian native animals and 12 plants from New South Wales on the infamous list earlier this month with the minnow’s Federal conservation status now listed as “vulnerable”.

The minnow — which grows no bigger than 60mm — was one of four WA natives to be added to the list this year along with the little tern and both the humpback and snubfin dolphin.

Other additions to the list included the white-headed snapping turtle, also known as Irwin’s turtle after Australian Icon Steve Irwin.

The Australian Conservation Foundation’s nature campaigner Darcie Carruthers said it was upsetting to see more Australian plants and animals pushed closer to extinction.

“Extinction is a choice,” she said.

“Each of these species is being affected by the destruction and degradation of its forest, savannah, river or ocean homes.

“Climate change, driven by the ongoing burning of coal and gas, continues to push Australian species to the limit.”

South West Natural Resource Management chief executive Manda Page said the change ensured the species would be given greater consideration during environmental assessment processes and those who interfered with the species would face greater penalties.

“Biodiversity or our variety of species is the complex web of life that supports our planet and enables us all to exist,” she said.

“When we begin losing parts of that intricate and complex web through processes like species extinction things start to fall apart.

“The benefits to humans from biodiversity are clear, some of these benefits are really obvious and directly linked such as economic benefits, ecosystem services, health benefits and scientific value but others are more indirect and nuanced.

“The truth is we can’t possibly comprehend this intricate web of life and the potentially hidden value of each and every part — it could be the loss of a microscopic and seemingly insignificant species which triggers a catastrophic ecosystem collapse.”

Murdoch University’s Freshwater Fish Group and Fish Health Unit associate professor David Morgan said he hoped to see new conservation efforts.

He said the minnow was at risk to several factors, such as invasive species, climate change and salinisation caused by humans which had all contributed to the fish’s decline.

Dr Morgan said the minnow was only found in a few streams across south-western Australia which would now be recognised should any development of their remaining habitats be earmarked given their new listing.

“They are one of only four species in the genus Galaxiella, and were only first discovered or described in the 1970s,” he said.

“They predate on nuisance species such as midges and mosquitoes and are a good indicator species of river health.

“Everyone should care about the extinction of species, whether they be small, like the western mud minnow, or large like the freshwater sawfish in the Kimberley.”

A spokesperson for the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions said the western mud minnow had been listed as vulnerable under State legislation since 2006.

“This acknowledges it is at risk of extinction and highlights the necessity for legal protection,” they said.

The spokesperson said its new national listing would make for more consistent outcomes for protection, management and recovery.