Red handfish population monitoring

Recent monitoring of the two known Red Handfish populations near Hobart, Tasmania have been conducted by the Reef Life Survey team. The team of volunteer SCUBA divers use underwater visual census methods along a 50 m transect (detailed HERE) to record marine life, including the elusive Red Handfish. The methods are used worldwide to record life on nearshore reefs (allowing comparison at global scales).

Like Spotted Handfish, it appears that Red Handfish have unique markings – so that when one is observed, we can tell if it’s previously been sighted. From this, we can build a database of images and information about these populations.