Freshwater Improvement Program Delivering Results

–Springfield hatchery’s wetlands ––A juvenile Giant Freshwater Crayfish –

Two years on from Huon introducing a voluntary Freshwater Improvement Program (FIP), we are seeing excellent performance in environmental management across Freshwater Operations.

Adam Chapman, Huon’s Freshwater Environment Manager said he was pleased to see such enthusiasm towards the program. “Environmental management is key to our success as a company and its pleasing to see how the Freshwater team has embraced the FIP and is working constantly to continue to improve,” said Adam.

–The program offers a measure through which all freshwater sites can be uniformly compared against each other regardless of their location and technology. –

“We’ve been able to clearly highlight where we are excelling and where we need to make further improvements,” said Adam. The FIP does not shy away from telling it straight when Huon’s hatcheries approach their strict trigger limits. “Sites that performed below expectations such as Parramatta Creek are already in the process of either undergoing upgrades or investigating options to provide additional equipment or processes to improve in the near future.”

Most sites saw a reduction in nutrient concentrations within their discharge and reduced peak discharge concentrations. “Of note is that Bridport hatchery’s major parameters of Total Ammonia, Dissolved Phosphorous and Total Phosphorous all recorded their lowest annual median concentration results for several years.”

–“This is a great result especially when taking into consideration that Bridport hatchery was originally established in 1964, making it the oldest in Tasmania.” –

Forest Home hatchery also recorded its lowest annual median results for Total Ammonia, Total Nitrogen and Total Phosphorous. “Forest Home recorded two minor pH-related events within its irrigated wastewater used on the surrounding farmland, however, the pH events are extremely well managed in line with its organic certification. In addition, slightly elevated pH can be beneficial in improving soil condition in a manner similar to lime additions utilised by terrestrial farmers annually.” The FIP also highlights the work that the team at Springfield hatchery is doing in partnership with Todd Walsh of Kanunnah Pty Ltd. “Springfield is currently raising 59 individual Giant Freshwater Crayfish, 22 from 2018 and 37 from 2019 with hopes that approval to release the 2018 cohorts will be granted by the Threatened Species branch of DPIPWE in 2021.”

The release site will be kept confidential due to the considerable threats that the species faces. “We expect to be releasing a number of juvenile Giant Freshwater Crayfish reared at Springfield Hatchery later this year. This is a wonderful achievement that employees should be so proud of,” said Adam.