3 Provide an attachment describing the action addressing the following points.
A. The objectives and purposes of the action;
B. The equipment and methods used;
Objectives and Purpose
The purpose of this project is to evaluate the extinction risk of sea snakes and to support the
development of effective conservation strategies for sea snakes in Australian waters. This research has
three overarching objectives:
Objective 1 - Review the taxonomy and geographic distribution of sea snakes in northern Australia.
Objective 2 - Compare the genetic structure (genetic diversity and genetic connectivity) of sea snakes
from two distinct evolutionary lineages (the Aipysurus and Hydrophis groups) with differing range sizes,
habitat preferences and differing levels of dietary specificity.
Objective 3 - Evaluate the extinction risk of sea snakes using the EPBC Act (1999) (C'th) Threatened
Species listing criteria and the International Union for the Conservation of Nature Red List criteria.
To achieve these objectives, we will undertake research on 1) taxonomy and geographic distribution, 2)
genetic diversity and population structure, 3) distribution and abundance and 4) level of dietary
specificity of sea snakes. Focal species include two restricted range endemics, the Shark Bay
(Aipysurus pooleorum) and the Brown-lined (A. tenuis) sea snakes; and two broadly distributed
Australo-Papuan species, the Olive (Aipysurus laevis) and Elegant (Hydrophis elegans) sea snakes.
We will also facilitate future research on sea snake genetics, by collecting genetic samples from other
non-target species to augment a small library held by Dr Vimoksalehi Lukoschek.
Equipment and Methods
Sample size - Up to 50 genetic samples per species, per location will be collected for the 4 target
species. For all other species, no more than 1640 live or 790 samples from already dead snakes will be
collected in total. Please note that sample sizes are highly unlikely to approach the sizes requested,
however we wish to ensure that we can collect sufficient sample sizes from each nominated location,
given that genetic studies require a minimum of 20-50 samples in general.
Capture methods - Snakes will be collected using four methods:
1) Dip netting from boats: Live snakes – using spotters, we will slowly approach snakes by boat, put the
boat into neutral and pick the snake up using a dip net (1mm plastic mesh, ~70cm wide). The snake will
be removed from the dip net with an opaque fabric fish catch bag for processing. Spotters will act as
marine wildlife spotters and advise the boat to stop or change course if marine wildlife is at risk of
disturbance whilst travelling.
2) On SCUBA and snorkel: Live snakes – divers will wear neoprene gloves and invert a fish catch bag
over their arm, to form an outer glove. The snake will be grasped with the outer glove, which will then
be inverted over the snake and closed, to encapsulate the snake. The diver will then return to the boat
to process the snake. No more than 5 snakes will be collected from the water at a time. Dr Vimoksalehi
Lukoschek has, without incident, safely caught over 500 snakes with this method.
3) Trawl by-catch: Live snakes – Researchers will work on trawl boats to sample live snakes caught as
by catch. Snakes will be picked up using a snake hookand placed into catch bags for processing
before being released alive from a crate lowered to water level. Snakes will be released as close to
capture site as possible given the mobile nature of trawl vessels
4) Trawl by catch: Already dead Snakes – Researchers and trawl fishers will be asked to collect already
dead snakes for this project. People will collect dead snakes, whilst wearing welding gloves and assign
each snake to an ID number and record the date, time, GPS location and number of the net shot. They
will photograph the dead animal with its ID number and place it into a plastic bag, and then into a
storage container labelled “DANGER. Venomous animals contained within - Do not touch without
authorisation from Blanche D’Anastasi. Phone 0439 89 66 97”, for freezing. Blanche D’Anastasi will
process frozen animals for gut contents in a Genetics Laboratory at James Cook University.
Prior to participating in collection activities, researchers and fishers will be trained in snake collection
methods and must review, understand and acknowledge, by signature, the collection protocol and risk
assessment. They will not be asked to handle live snakes.
5) Existing Baited Remote Underwater Video Station (BRUVS) Data – footage of sea snakes recorded
on existing BRUVS survey footage will be assessed.
Handling and holding –Protocols minimise the handling of snakes, reducing risk to both snakes and
handlers. Snake handlers will wear thick neoprene gloves whilst in the water (in addition to full length
wet suits) and elbow length leather welding gloves when handling snakes at all other times for
protection against snake bites.
Snakes will be held and processed on boats, in the shade, in individual catch bags, that will rest in
large, individual plastic crates, prior to processing. After processing, snakes will be released back into
their individual crate for recovery and release. Snakes will not be held on the boat for more than one
hour, to minimise stress. Holding equipment will be sterilised with 70% ethanol spray in between
snakes.
Processing - Once snakes are on the boat and in catch bags, they will be weighed by hooking the
catch bag onto a hanging scale. Next a genetic sample will be collected using aseptic techniques by
exposing the tail of each snake over a Betadine sterilised stainless steel plate. To take the sample, a
fresh single use, sterile scalpel blade will be used for each snake to cut, via two incisions, a small ‘V’
section out of the tail (2mm2 for animals <0.75m in length and 4mm2 for animals >0.75m). The wound
will be treated immediately with F10 germicidal barrier cream.
Recovery, convalescence and release - Snakes will be released into a plastic crate for recovery (1530 minutes) and undergo a health assessment prior to release. This will include looking for signs of
extreme lethargy, bleeding or impaired mobility. Active snakes with no signs of poor health will be
gently released by floating the crate over onto its side at water level at the side of the boat, allowing the
snake to move out when it is ready, at the site of capture.
We have commenced identifying a network of veterinarians with reptile experience to deal with snakes
that show poor health, who will be contacted immediately should this occur. If directed by a
veterinarian, the snake will be taken into captivity and treated. Rehabilitated snakes will be released at
the site of capture.
Live snakes collected from trawl by-catch are an exception and will be released into a crate for 15-30
minutes recovery, but released regardless of their state of health. These snakes are likely to sustain
major injuries from capture in trawl nets and unfortunately it is not within the capacity of this project to
address these injuries.