Astacopsis gouldi is the largest freshwater invertebrate in the world and is restricted to northern Tasmania, Australia. It is threatened, with habitat degradation and poaching causing a decline in populations. Four covertly translocated populations have been established illegally outside their native range, representing a potential management paradox, as they may offer conservation benefits for the species, but threaten other native taxa, but their conservation value and hence future management is yet to be assessed.
This study aims to determine the long-term viability of translocated A. gouldi populations and assesses their conservation value. Seven locations — four translocated and three native — were surveyed using baited trapping and hand searching. Each survey searched 200–300 m of stream and deployed 12 baited traps. Environmental characteristics were measured at each location.
Astacopsis gouldi is persisting at two of the translocated locations. When A. gouldi was present at a translocated location, the environmental conditions were comparable to a native location. No females were observed at translocated locations, and a paucity of juveniles was observed, but the latter was also the case at native populations.
Translocated populations of A. gouldi found outside their native range may not be viable long-term without intervention, such as the supplementation of additional genetic material or introduction of females. Whether translocated A. gouldi are impacting other species in recipient ecosystems is yet to be evaluated.