guest speaker Dr Tarmo Raadik on "The Magnificent 7(?) Gadopsidae" & NFA(Vic) AGM – Tue 12th Aug

We'll have a special talk on The “Magnificent Seven (?)” Blackfishes of Australia – an introduction and update, by guest speaker the esteemed Dr Tarmo A. Raadik, threatened species biologist & taxonomist. (after our brief AGM)

The unique and enigmatic River Blackfish and Two-spined Blackfish have been quietly going about their business in creeks and rivers over a large area of south-east Australia, persisting at some locations, but overall slowly declining, and have become part of the ‘forgotten few’ in the native fish world.

Growing to a medium size, they fall between the larger Cods, Basses and native Perches, and the small bodied fishes. The majority of these larger and smaller fishes are threatened, and have received much attention with respect to halting decline and undertaking species recovery, particularly monitoring, habitat improvement, threat management, population genetic analysis, hatchery production and stocking programs, etc. But not the Blackfishes.

Fortunately the Blackfishes have now begun to receive increasing attention and their conservation plight and recovery pathways are being realised.

Starting from first principles for such a widespread group of little known, cryptic and non-migratory, fishes, analyses have now been undertaken to identify levels of population genetic diversity across their range. This work uncovered a surprising amount and range of genetic differentiation - what was previously considered to be two species now appears to possibly be seven….... magnificent!

But more work needs to be done to progress the taxonomic revision of the group, before valid species can be formally described. When done, the new species, and the genetic data for all species of Blackfishes, will enable effective conservation management to be undertaken which will benefit the entire group.

Come along and let Dr Tarmo Raadik introduce you to these poorly known fish, and discuss where we are currently at and where we could head with their recovery.

The 2025 Annual general Meeting is scheduled for Tuesday 12th August at our usual meeting place,
the La Trobe University Wildlife Sanctuary. It will commence at around 7:30pm.
We welcome nominations for the following positions:
• President
• Vice president
• Treasurer
• Secretary
• Committee member(S)
As per all AGMs, all positions will be declared vacant and if necessary, elections for contested
positions held by our public officer. We will review the year past.
If you would like to nominate for one of the positions, please contact me
We hope for a good turnout on the night.
Free supper supplied.

Also check out other Meetups in Preston.