Australian Crayfish Project
Project No: 100001
The project was started in 2005 and will run to 2017 and probably beyond. The aim of this project is to
collect and identify every species of freshwater crayfish and their habitat in Australia. The research
results will increase the knowledge base on all our species and help to ensure they and their habitats are protected and
conserved for all time. Australia has one of the most diverse range of freshwater crayfish species on the
planet yet there is much confusion with the description and distribution of species and many species are
unidentified and undescribed.
This projects objectives are:
- To conduct biological surveys and investigate every type of waterbody in Australia, including ponds, creeks, streams, rivers, swamps, puddles and wet
areas in an effort to locate every freshwater crayfish species.
- Physically collect new specimens of every crayfish species. (All original work without reference to
existing collections).
- Record each species, habitat, activities, lifecycle and distribution.
- Photograph every species to give a photographic record/description of each species.
- Identify every species via taxonomy.
- Identify every species via DNA testing.
- Compile and complete a full DNA data base for all Australian freshwater crayfish species.
- Identify, name and describe all new species collected.
- Investigate and ascertain the distribution of these new species.
- Identify the threats (both current and potential) and the conservation status of all species of
Freshwater Crayfish in Australia.
- Protect and Conserve all species of freshwater crayfish and their habitats.
- Produce a full colour Field Guide to the Freshwater Crayfish of each State within Australia.
- Produce an Australian Guide to the Freshwater Crayfish of Australia.
- Increase the knowledge base on freshwater crayfish and their fragile habitat areas.
The Australian Crayfish Project is evolving as it progresses with the scope of the project broadening to
include all freshwater crustacea.
The Australian Crayfish Project is a privately funded program that only continues with the financial support
of crayfish enthusiasts. It relies on the help and assistance of volunteers so get involved, have a look at
the current projects list and volunteer to help out on specific research
projects. If you have an unusual crayfish in your area let us know, it could be a new species. The project is
discovering dozens of new species or new populations that were never known to exist. Our aim is to find and
identify all species of freshwater crayfish and their habitat areas, the bottom line is that if no one knows
these species are there and they don’t even have a name then how can they be protected and conserved into the
future? The results of this project will ensure that all management agencies take the crayfish and their
habitat into consideration for future environmental, development and catchment management plans, etc.
I hope you all recognise and appreciate the unique biodiversity of our Australian Freshwater Crayfish, and
share our concern for the future of so many of the species that are under threat. Our crayfish are only found
in Australia and some of these species have tiny populations in only miniscule areas, once these crayfish are
gone they are gone for all time. Please do your bit to conserve them for all Australians for all eternity.
For further information (Click here) or check out the Newsletters.
2009 Update
The Australian Crayfish Project is a privately funded research project centred on the freshwater crayfish of
Australia. This project commenced in 2005 and is progressing on a State by State basis in 3 stages.
Stage 1. Planning, preliminary biological studies, formation of investigative teams,
sourcing of permits and authorities etc.
Stage 2. The collection, identification, photography and DNA sampling of all known species and
the collection of unknown species of freshwater crayfish and other crustaceans.
Stage 3. Further research, writing up results, compiling information and producing of Field
Guides etc.
As of August 2009 this is the current situation:
NSW
Stage 1 & 2 is complete and we are progressing on stage 3. See projects list (click here) The Freshwater Crayfish of NSW is available (click here).
Queensland
Stage 1 completed
Stage 2 current
Stage 3 ongoing
The Freshwater Crayfish of Queensland is under construction and will go to the printers December 09
Victoria
Stage 1 completed
Stage 2 current
Syage 3 commencing
The Freshwater Crayfish of Victoria is under construction and will go to the printers December 2010
South Australia
Stage 1 completed
Stage 2 commencing
Western Australia
No progress
Northern Territory
No progress
Tasmania
No progress
Islands of Australia
Frazer Island - Stage 3 completed
Bribie Island - Stage 3 completed
Stradbroke Island - Stage 3
Lord Howe Island - Stage 1 current
Norfolk Island - Stage 3 completed
Kangaroo Island - Stage 1
Flinders Island - Stage 1
King Island - Stage 1
Great Keppel Island - Stage 2
Curtis Island - Stage 2
Research Team
The project team has been working on the Australian Crayfish Project, finding and identifying freshwater
crayfish species across Australia. These team leaders with the assistance of a vast number of students,
volunteers and other researchers are conducting the core research across Australia. The team leaders consist of
three experts on freshwater crayfish. Please join a team and help us find critters in your area, local knowledge makes collection so much easier.
 ACP Team Leader
Robert B McCormack – Managing Director/Researcher Australian Aquatic Biological P/L. 25 years as
Aquaculturalist and teacher. Author of numerous books on freshwater crayfish including his 7th book “The
Freshwater Crayfish of NSW Australia”. President of the NSW Aquaculture Association.
Serves on various statutory advisory committees. Research Associate with the Carnegie Museum. Experienced in
crayfish taxonomy, including the preparation of formal taxonomic descriptions for publication.
ACP Chief Ecologist & Taxonomist
Dr Jason Coughran -
Casual Academic, Southern Cross University. BAppSc in Fisheries and Aquaculture Management, PhD in freshwater crayfish biology, ecology and taxonomy. Jason has over 10 years' research experience in freshwater biology, and has authored several peer-reviewed journal articles and unpublished reports on freshwater fish and crayfish. He is currently engaged in a range of research projects as the Chief Ecologist and Taxonomist with the Australian Crayfish Project.
ACP Chief Geneticist
Dr. James W. Fetzner Jr. - Assistant Curator of Crustacea, Section of Invertebrate Zoology Carnegie Museum
of Natural History, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA. Areas of research include 20 years of experience working on
the biology, conservation, population genetics, systematics and taxonomy of freshwater crayfishes at a global
level. An additional 12 years of experience in bioinformatics and the dissemination of crayfish related
taxonomic information via the internet. Professional crayfish-related activities include: Secretary for the
International Association of Astacology, Editor of the Crayfish News newsletter, co-editor of the journal
Freshwater Crayfish. |
