1

Newsletter #5, August 2010

Contents

ISLANDS IN FOCUS: AUSTRALIA .............................................................................................................2 Macquarie Island pest eradication project update ........................................................................................2 Tasman Island cat eradication update ..........................................................................................................5 A proposed National Island Biosecurity Initiative ..........................................................................................6 Burn-offs for penguins on Montague Island, New South Wales ...................................................................7 Maremma dogs guarding Middle Island penguins ........................................................................................ 8 Kangaroo cull on Maria Island, Tasmania.....................................................................................................8 Eradicating exotic rodents on Torres Strait islands.......................................................................................9 Tiwi Island receives funding for environment management........................................................................10 Exotic rat eradications on WA islands.........................................................................................................11 Black rat invasion of Thistle Island, SA.......................................................................................................12 Update on fox eradication in Tasmania ......................................................................................................12 ISLANDS IN FOCUS: INTERNATIONAL ..................................................................................................13 Island biosecurity training in Fiji ..................................................................................................................13 Island Invasives conference........................................................................................................................13 International workshop: Helping Islands Adapt...........................................................................................14 Natural World Heritage listing for islands....................................................................................................16 Restoration of Henderson Island — World Heritage Site............................................................................ 16 Success story in the International Year of Biodiversity ............................................................................... 17 Non-native midge thrives on Antarctic island..............................................................................................17 Lionfish incursion in U.S. Virgin Islands......................................................................................................18 Global Island Plant Conservation Network .................................................................................................18 Identifying Important Bird Areas on Cook Islands.......................................................................................19 RECENT PUBLICATIONS .........................................................................................................................19 Retreating glaciers allowing rat invasions...................................................................................................19 Ecological rebound on Phillip Island, South Pacific ....................................................................................20 New detection of mongoose on Kyushu Island, Japan ............................................................................... 20 Trained dogs to locate sparse rodents........................................................................................................20 Global comparison of invasive plants on oceanic islands........................................................................... 20 Optimal allocation of quarantine and surveillance resources...................................................................... 21 Island ecosystem recovery following rat eradication................................................................................... 21 Invasive Species International (ISI) newsletter ...........................................................................................21 IUCN/ISSG newsletter ................................................................................................................................22 UPCOMING EVENTS ................................................................................................................................. 22

2

ISLANDS IN FOCUS: AUSTRALIA

Macquarie Island pest eradication project update Key facts: Macquarie Island: 54o30’ south; 12,875 hectares Target species: European rabbits, ship rats, house mice Team size: 21 Helicopters: 2 x AS350BA Squirrels, 2 x AS350B2 Squirrels Bait: 305 tonne of Pestoff 20R The Macquarie Island Pest Eradication Project moved into the operational phase in 2010 after planning commenced in 2004. Since funding for the project had been secured in 2007, planning had focussed on the regulatory and logistics planning required to implement the two-phase eradication plan: an aerial bait drop using helicopters to deliver brodifacoum bait, followed by an extended ground-hunting phase to remove surviving rabbits. The aerial baiting team completed pre-departure training in early May this year, and departed for Macquarie Island on the Australian Antarctic Division (AAD) resupply vessel Aurora Australis on 22 May. Several days were needed to unload the bait and helicopter fuel at three bait depots on the island, with the first baiting undertaken on 5 June. This was primarily a ‘shake-down’ to check baiting and loading systems, and was conducted from the AAD station at the north end of the island. A 90-hectare peninsula at the northern tip of the island and the adjoining isthmus were baited using four Squirrel helicopters. Rabbits and rodents were observed taking baits later that day, and remote cameras set up around station buildings (which were hand baited the following day) recorded numerous visits of rodents removing bait. The first

dead rats were found within four days, with the first dead rabbit found after six days. Following this, baiting was to commence at Hurd Point — the bait depot at the southern end of the island. However, after some reasonable weather that allowed us to get the site set up with huts and refuelling pads, the weather closed in for the next two weeks, with either low cloud or strong winds preventing flying. A few short breaks in the weather in late June enabled work to commence around the coastal area and slopes around the southern quarter of the island, although the plateau was never clear of clouds and baiting couldn’t commence there. With considerable down time, many of the team assisted AAD staff with projects around the station. The presence of a large king penguin colony and several wandering albatross chicks in the southern part of the island required carful management. Staff were on hand to remove pellets that fell within five metres of a wandering albatross chick, and these were placed in bait stations a couple of metres from the nest. Although chicks were not expected to consume baits, this was an easy way of removing any risk to this critically endangered species.

Macquarie Island Skua (left image: Sam O'Leary) and Stilbocarpa polaris, also known as the Macquarie Island Cabbage (right image: Brian Ahern).

3

Observers filmed the over-flights of the large King penguin colony at Lusitania Bay, and were in radio contact with pilots to advise them if impacts became unacceptable. A higher bait-spreading altitude (500 feet) was adopted within a kilometre of the penguin colony to reduce the degree of disturbance to penguins. After late June, weather conditions remained unsuitable for flying, with relentless strong winds and frequent low cloud. Weather observations from previous winters had suggested that suitable windows for baiting could be expected, however this year these did not eventuate. Weather maps consistently showed large high-pressure systems extending right across the Indian Ocean and Australia, and these seemed to prevent the low pressure systems circulating the globe at higher latitudes from dispersing to the north. Consequently, the fronts and lows passed over Macquarie Island one after the other, and eventually July turned out to be the windiest July since records commenced in 1948. By mid-July the team had been on the island for over six weeks, and in that time had only been able to bait on four part-days, spreading 8% of the bait required for the bait drops. It became apparent that the next six weeks would need to deliver exceptionally good weather to complete the baiting before the return of native wildlife and the onset of pest species breeding. As the likelihood of such a degree of weather improvement seemed very

remote, and with an increasing risk of having to abandon the baiting uncompleted, the project steering committee decided on 21 July to withdraw the aerial baiting team and seek to return for another attempt in 2011. While waiting for the ship to return to collect the team, other flying tasks were completed, including reconfiguration of bait pods at the two depots down-island, installation of five field huts to support the ground-hunting phase of the project, and collection of marine debris caches from the west coast of the island. Field teams were also active in the baited areas and reported seeing no live rabbits at all — a very encouraging sign and very different to the usual high level of rabbit activity seen. Non-target species mortality was also recorded while teams were in the field. The Aurora Australis returned on 7 August and the baiting team and helicopters were back in Hobart by 11 August, leaving bait and helicopter fuel on the island for next year. A number of important lessons were learnt during the 2010 winter, and will enhance the planning for next year’s aerial baiting program. Baiting team size will be increased, some improvements made to procedural aspects, some amendments made to applications of bait, and additional effort put into searching for and removing dead animals to reduce the incidence of non-target species mortality.

Line of pods, Hurt Point Bait loaders ready, North Head (images: Tas Parks &

Wildlife Service)

4

Marty Passingham and John Duggan with bait pods at Green Gorge (image: Tas Parks & Wildlife Service)

King penguins and elephant seal (image: DOC NZ)

While it was extremely disappointing not to get the aerial baiting completed after so many years of planning, the weather — which had been identified as a major challenge from the outset of planning — certainly delivered an unrelenting series of conditions that didn’t feature any gaps with clear weather and lower wind speed needed to get flying underway. Keith Springer (email Keith.Springer@parks.tas.gov.au), Macquarie Island Pest Eradication Project Manager, Tasmania Parks and Wildlife Service [see http://www.parks.tas.gov.au/index.aspx?base=13013].

North head baiting team (image: Tas Parks & Wildlife Service)

5

Tasman Island cat eradication update

An eradication attempt for feral cats is currently underway on 120-hectare Tasman Island, Tasmania, with work being led by staff from the Tasmanian Department of Primary Industries, Parks, Water and Environment (DPIPWE). Significant funding has been provided by local ecotourism operator Robert Pennicott who has donated $65,000 to the eradication project. Domestic cats were introduced to Tasman Island by lighthouse keepers during the mid 1900s, and a feral population of approximately 50 cats persisted until recently. There are no other native or introduced terrestrial mammals on the island, and the cats feed almost exclusively on fairy prions and short-tailed shearwaters. Tens of thousands of seabirds are killed each year. Eradication techniques proposed for use included aerial baiting with Curiosity® baits, trapping with cage and leg-hold traps, shooting, and follow-up detection using trained dogs. Works commenced in mid-April when 15 cats were radio-collared to provide a measure of the percentage of the cat population killed by the baiting operation. A total of 6 ‘surplus’ cats were also euthanised at this time. Curiosity® baits were thawed on the day prior to baiting (2 May) and then prepared by manually inserting an encapsulated 80 milligram dose of para-aminopropiophenone (PAPP) and a marker dye (Rhodamine B) into each of the 960 baits. On the day of baiting (3 May), baits were laid in a sunny position to ‘sweat’ and were then counted into bags allocated to specific areas. Ground crews laid 410 baits in the boulder-fields on the northwest and southeast slopes with foot tracks on the plateau baited at 40-metre intervals. The remaining 550 baits were dropped from a helicopter that flew transects over each slope. Several rabbit and possum carcasses were also dropped to provide an obvious ‘free-feed’ for scavenging bird species. Of the 15 radio-collared cats monitored prior to and following application of baits, four of these cats were confirmed to have consumed baits and died. It is possible that another cat consumed

bait(s) and died in a position where the VHF signal was masked, as this cat was not detected following baiting. By three days after baiting it was apparent that the encapsulated PAPP doses had degraded more rapidly than expected, which led to a dispersion of PAPP into the bait meat and loss of bio-availability (ie sub-lethal doses). Laboratory analysis is currently underway to measure Rhodamine B uptake from baits in cats subsequently trapped. Initial observations of internal tissue suggest a high level of bait consumption. If this is shown to be the case, it confirms the timing of baiting was appropriate, and that most cats found the sausages palatable. Cage and leg-hold trapping of surviving cats was initiated on 7 May, four days post baiting. Between 7 and 15 May a total of 27 cats were caught with 330 trap nights. Between 15 May and 19 June a total of 550 trap nights were used without a capture. Traps were closed on 19 June. Recent works have focussed on monitoring to detect surviving cats. Techniques include deploying up to 20 infrared motion-sensing cameras, periodic visits with trained cat-detecting dogs, active searches for cat signs (prints, scats, kills, etc) as well as spotlighting.

Tasman Island, Tasmania (image: DPIPWE)

6

Despite some intensive monitoring, no confirmed cat presence has been detected since 15 May. Periodic visits to undertake monitoring will continue for 12 months after the last cat has been killed, to confirm eradication success. Monitoring work to determine change in the fairy prion population, short-tailed shearwater breeding success and forest bird abundance will be ongoing.

For further information, contact Luke Gadd (email Luke.Gadd@parks.tas.gov.au) or Sue Robinson (email Sue.Robinson@dpipwe.tas.gov.au) from the Department of Primary Industries, Parks, Water and Environment. For information on Curiosity® baits, contact Michael Johnston (email Michael.Johnston@dse.vic.gov.au).

A proposed National Island Biosecurity Initiative Ongoing expensive efforts to control invasive species on islands in Australia provide the evidence that we need a more comprehensive and strategic post-border biosecurity for Australian islands at risk. WWF Australia and Reef Catchments Mackay Whitsunday Inc together with a number of Island Rescue supporters have produced a proposal for such an initiative to coincide with the federal election and review of the Caring for our Country program. The proposal argues that for a modest investment of around one million dollars, Australia could establish a strategic framework for island biosecurity, based on an assessment of island biodiversity values and a risk assessment approach to potentially invasive non-indigenous species. Of the 8,300 offshore islands in Australia, it is likely that the vast majority are directly relevant to one or more Matters of National Environmental Significance under the Environment Protection & Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999. The Commonwealth should therefore take a leadership

role in developing a nationally consistent approach and standards for the prevention of invasion, early detection and rapid eradication of organisms that threaten island ecosystems through a National Island Biosecurity1 Initiative. This initiative should incorporate the following elements:

• establishment of biosecurity priorities for all islands based on their ecological values and risk assessment

• development of biosecurity management systems for all islands — high-priority and high-risk islands (eg those with development or people living on them) should have an individual biosecurity management system, those with a lower risk can be managed via regional management systems

• biosecurity management systems that include both the prevention of incursions through quarantine approaches and establishment of systems to control importation of species for domestic and agricultural purposes — biosecurity management systems should cover both terrestrial and marine organisms

M. Johnston tracking cats Cat trap in cave Field staff on boulder field

(images: DPIPWE)

7

• regular surveillance of high- and medium-priority islands; for example, those with populations of threatened species that would be threatened by an invasive species such as cats or rats, and occasional surveillance of lower-priority islands

• development and/or modification of best practice approaches from existing resources and appropriate training for island managers

• establishment of ready response capability, including the ready availability of equipment

• a range of tailored education programs targeted at island dwellers and visitors.

A National Island Biosecurity Initiative could lay the foundations for an effective, nationally consistent approach to post-border island biosecurity that would directly assist in the prevention of extinction

of hundreds of threatened species and ecosystems and protection for globally significant populations of migratory species. The full proposal is available from the Island Arks website (http://www.islandarks.com.au/). Comments or suggestions about how to promote the concept are welcomed. 1 The protection from the risks posed by organisms to the economy, environment and people’s health, through exclusion, eradication and control. For further information, contact Ray Nias, (email ray@tierramarconsulting.com), TierraMar Consulting.

Burn-offs for penguins on Montague Island, New South Wales The Seabird Habitat Restoration Program on Montague Island off the New South Wales coast began almost 10 years ago, after years of research into the problem of how best to control the invasive kikuyu grass there. There are 6,000 breeding pairs of little penguin on Montague Island Nature Reserve, many of which are forced to nest in the kikuyu and become fatally entangled. Each year, controlled burn-offs are done to remove the grass. The latest burn resulted in the death of 13 little penguins. A National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) spokesman said small losses of penguins happened despite thorough attempts to avoid losses. Burning of a single hectare is done with 25 fire fighters after an extensive and thorough search of the area for penguins, preceded by months of monitoring nests. Since 2003, seven burn-offs have resulted in the loss of 20 birds. But scientific analysis has showed that the regular program of small intensively-managed burns has saved hundreds of little penguins (on average 380 per year) dying from being entangled in the kikuyu grass. The NPWS said the burn-off program was a case of risk management backed by solid research and thorough planning. The destroyed kikuyu is replaced with native species. There are plans to carry out a similar program on five islands off Port Kembla NSW, where the kikuyu has been well established for decades. From: South Coast Register 2 July 2010 [http://www.southcoastregister.com.au/news/local/news/general/montague-island-burnoff-kills-13-penguins/1874933.aspx?src=rss] and ABC News 23 August [http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2010/08/20/2988397.htm?site=news]

8

Maremma dogs guarding Middle Island penguins The Middle Island Maremma Project is a world first environmental program using Maremma guardian dogs to protect breeding seabirds on Middle Island, off the Victorian coast, from fox and dog predation. The Maremma breed has been used for centuries in Italy and specifically bred to protect sheep from predators and thieves. From August to February Middle Island is home to a breeding colony of little penguins and short-tailed shearwaters. The once thriving colony of little penguins has been decimated by fox and dog predation, reducing the population from 600 (in 1999) to below 10 (in 2005). In 2006, a trial using Maremmas to protect the penguins was conducted for four weeks, and its success led to a further program to cover the breeding season for 2007–2008. There are currently two Maremmas still protecting the penguins. The program is monitored by a steering committee of Council employees, state government wildlife experts, veterinarians, community members and university staff and students. So far there have been no seabird deaths caused by predation and the breeding colony is slowly growing with a population estimate of at least 60 little penguins. The Middle Island Maremma Project is a case study featured in the manual ‘Guardian Dogs: Best Practice Manual for the Use of Livestock Guardian Dogs’, which will soon be published by the Invasive Animals CRC.

Kangaroo cull on Maria Island, Tasmania The National Parks and Wildlife Service of Tasmania recently conducted a cull of about 600 kangaroos, wallabies and pademelons on Maria Island off Tasmania's east coast, due to overpopulation concerns. Forester kangaroos and Bennett's wallabies are not native to the island, but were introduced in the late 1960s. They have no natural predators on the

island. The NPWS service has culled animals regularly since 1994, in years when the populations are booming and starvation is an issue. From: ABC news 13 July 2010 [http://www.abc.net.au/worldtoday/content/2010/s2952285.htm]

9

Eradicating exotic rodents on Torres Strait islands

A Caring for our Country grant was received by Luke Leung of the University of Queensland (UQ) targeted at eradicating the Pacific rat (Rattus exulans) on Mer (Murray) Island Torres Strait in collaboration with indigenous islanders. Mer Island is approximately 440 hectares (Figure 1) and the island community of about 300 Meriam Islanders expressed support for the project in a community consultation meeting in December 2009. The Islanders indicated that exotic rodents were seen mainly in and around houses, while grassland melomys (Melomys burtoni; Figure 2) — the island’s only native terrestrial mammals — were seen mainly in native grassland and forest. UQ honours student Rebecca Diete tested this hypothesis by trapping with both live and snap traps to determine the distribution of rodents in different habitats of the island. Small numbers of roof rats (Rattus rattus) and house mice (Mus musculus) were caught in and around houses and the grassland melomys were caught in large numbers in grassland and forests, on the beach, and around houses. No Pacific rats were caught. Pacific rats were recorded on Mer by the American Museum of Natural History during the Archibald expeditions in 1930’s. Their apparent disappearance from the island is possibly due to

competition with the more invasive roof rat and house mouse. The eradication of exotic rodents on Mer would be designed to deliver rodenticide bait to the small house mouse and the large roof rat but not the medium-sized grassland melomys. Islanders observed that introduced rodent pests appear to be more arboreal than melomys, being able to climb up smooth vertical timber posts. This observation suggested that toxic bait placed above a smooth vertical surface may achieve the species-specific delivery of rodenticide bait. The idea was tested by determining the number of grassland melomys caught in Elliot traps after the animal climbed up an elevated bait station with and without a PVC pipe collar (Figure 3). The test results were promising, with the melomys being excluded from the bait station by the collar. Although results from other studies indicate house mice should climb through and roof rats should climb up the collar to access the bait station, further trials will be conducted to critically determine if this is the case. The final design of bait station will be used in areas away from houses to eradicate the roof rats and house mice. The eradication process has already started with rodenticide baits laid in houses.

1. Mer Island covered by deciduous rainforests (dark and light green) and grassland (brown).

2. Grassland melomys caught in Elliott trap (images: L. Leung)

10

Outbreaks of rodent pests occur regularly on many Torres Strait islands. In July 2010 Rebecca and another UQ student, Natalie Waller, flew to nearby Poruma (Coconut) Island, to assist the local team in controlling an outbreak of roof rats, with funding from the Torres Strait Islands Regional Council. This island is around 56 hectares in size and has no native mammals. A total of 133 rats were caught with 200 snap traps over four days to rapidly reduce rat numbers and their negative impacts on community and the environment (Figure 4). Rodenticide wax blocks secured inside 150 PVC-pipe bait stations were also distributed

throughout the town. Poisoned rats were removed to reduce the risk of secondary poisoning of pet cats and dogs. Visual inspection of stomach content of trapped rats indicated that they had a good supply of native fruits such as coconut, hammond and wongai plum (Figure 5). This food supply should be reduced by November, when the local community proposes more bait stations be laid on the other half of the island to eradicate the roof rat. By Luke Leung (email luke.leung@uq.edu.au) and Rebecca Diete, University of Queensland.

3. Elevated bait station for roof rat and house mouse, with PVC-pipe collar to exclude melomys station.

4. Catch of the day: Rebecca Diete with roof rats killed in snap traps on Poruma Island.

5. Husk and shell of coconut gnawed through by roof rat (images: L. Leung).

Tiwi Island receives funding for environment management Environmental management projects and employment for Tiwi Islanders will be funded through a $6 million grant over four years from the Aboriginal Benefits Account in the Northern Territory. About 15 full-time rangers will be employed on land and sea management projects, involving:

• controlling weeds and feral animals • propagating plants for food and revegetation

of old mining sites • controlling coastal erosion

• monitoring water quality and biodiversity • fencing sites for threatened species

including the red goshawk.

From Media Release 10 March 2010 from The Hon Jenny Macklin MP, Minister for Families, Housing, Community Services

[http://www.jennymacklin.fahcsia.gov.au/mediareleases/2010/Pages/tiwi_10mar2010.aspx]

11

Exotic rat eradications on WA islands

Approximately 3400 islands occur off the coast of Western Australia and many of these have significant conservation values as refuges for threatened mammals, important seabird and marine turtle nesting sites and ecosystems that are generally free of the disturbances found on the adjacent mainland. However, introduced rats and mice have become established on some of these islands (mainly via early settlements and the pearling industry in the 1890s) and since 1980 the WA government has been undertaking successful eradication programs for these exotic rodents. The black rat Rattus rattus was known to have established on 39 islands, and this species has been eradicated from 29 of them. Another 24 islands had house mice established and this species has been eradicated from four of them, while another two islands have the Polynesian rat Rattus exulans established.

Following the listing of exotic rodents on islands as a key threatening process under the Commonwealth EPBC Act in 2008, and the approval of a Threat Abatement Plan for this process, the WA Department of Environment and Conservation received a Caring for our Country grant to eradicate exotic rodents on another six islands off the WA coast. These islands are: Three Bays and Faure Islands (Shark Bay) — house mouse, Sunday and Long Islands (Kimberley) — black rat, Adele Island (Kimberley) — Polynesian rat, and Direction Island (Cocos/Keeling group) — black rat. In addition, funding was received to survey Dirk Hartog Island (68000 hectares) in Shark Bay to determine the presence / absence of black rats. A plan for these eradications over a four-year timeframe has been prepared and work has commenced on Three Bays and Direction Islands.

An important part of this work is the engagement of local indigenous communities in the planning, implementation and monitoring of the eradication programs. An effective biosecurity /quarantine program will also be developed for each island. Each eradication program will be based on either a ground or aerial baiting program using brodifacoum impregnated pellets or wax blocks. Bait stations will be developed where non-target species are an issue, such as on Faure Island where several native mammals have been reintroduced.

We are confident the eradication programs will be successful and will lead to conservation benefits such as the reintroduction of the banded land rail to Direction Island (Cocos/Keeling), and improved seabird nesting on Adele Island. Challenges for the project include unrestricted access to some of the islands that are subject to Native Title claims, security of non-target species and our ability to maintain the islands rat/mouse free after funding for the program ceases in 2013.

By Keith Morris (email Keith.Morris@dec.wa.gov.au) and Brent Johnson, WA Department of Environment and Conservation

Three Bays Island Baiting station for house mice, Three Bays Island.

Direction Island, Cocos (images: K Morris)

12

Black rat invasion of Thistle Island, SA Thistle Island (3925 hectares), South Australia’s second largest off-shore island, has been invaded by black rats (Rattus rattus). This invasion provides a warning to other Australian regions to be aware and biosecurity conscious. Funding support of $10000 for rat control has been recently received from the Eyre Peninsula NRM board, and an additional $48900 grant has been received from the state Community NRM Program. The Thistle Island Management Association has been baiting around the island’s houses, sheds, jetty and so on, and has erected monitoring stations across the island. Currently, no rat sign has been detected away from the developed area of the island, including at the open dump about 500 metres from houses. The ceilings of many of the island’s homes have been inspected, and significant rat sign has been found in two homes. This finding suggests rats may have been on the island some months longer

than believed (it was initially thought the rats arrived around October last year).No rat sign has been found in bait stations recently placed around the island’s homes and sheds, but it does continue to be detected near the jetty. A pest control operator is currently on the island undertaking further inspections, live cage trapping and bait station monitoring. Discussions are underway with the APVMA for approval to use diphacinone baiting of known infested areas. This poison has been proposed due to its reduced off-target risks to the island’s bilbies (introduced), Pearson Island rock wallabies (introduced), brush-tailed possums (introduced), Rosenberg goannas and raptors. For further information, contact David Peacock (email david.peacock@sa.gov.au), Biosecurity South Australia.

Update on fox eradication in Tasmania A scat collected at North Bruny Island off Tasmania last year recently returned a positive test for fox DNA. While program operators say they can't speculate as to how the fox managed to get on the island, the task force will now undertake more intensive monitoring on the island beginning in August on the core fox habitat. The aim is to hone search and monitoring techniques in a confined, island environment. To date, there have been 56 positive fox scats around the state of Tasmania. [From ABC Rural news 14 July 2010.] The winter issue of the Fox Eradication Program’s quarterly newsletter, 'Eradicate' contains an updated fox activity map, and feature articles on: The challenge of eradication, The Great Poo Hunt, the Scat Degradation Project, Southern baiting operations and Alternative poison research. To receive copies of 'Eradicate', contact the Program (Ph 03 6336 5324 or email Fox.Enquiries@dpipwe.tas.gov.au) or see the website (http://www.dpipwe.tas.gov.au/inter.nsf/WebPages/LBUN-5JNW5U?open#Newsletter).

13

ISLANDS IN FOCUS: INTERNATIONAL

Pacific Invasives Initiative’s Island biosecurity training in Fiji The island biosecurity training for National Trust of the Fiji Islands (NTF) was held in Suva, Fiji, 28 Jun – 1 July 2010. NTF is undertaking conservation projects for the Fijian crested iguana (Brachylophus vitiensis) on Yadua Taba and Monuriki islands, and wants to improve biosecurity for these islands. The aims of the training were to: 1) Enhance an understanding of island biosecurity, its purpose and how to maintain effective biosecurity programs. 2) Enhance the knowledge and skills necessary to undertake basic biosecurity prevention, surveillance and incursion response. 3) Collate information required for development of biosecurity plan for Yadua Taba. The 4-day training course was attended by NTF staff, who also invited participants from the landowning community of Yanuya Island, the Provincial Councils of Nadroga and Bua, Fiji Quarantine Service, and Birdlife International. The training covered basic concepts and processes of the three components of biosecurity: prevention, surveillance and incursion response. The importance and function of these components were reinforced with several activities, one of which was a fieldtrip to Mabualau Island, to learn the continued biosecurity measures conducted by the landowners after a successful rat eradication (by Birdlife International and landowners). The participatory approach of this training encouraged interaction, personal opinions and experiences to be shared within the group, and all discussions were made in both English and Fijian languages.

Overall, participants demonstrated an increased level of understanding on the basic concepts of invasive species and island biosecurity. The participants agreed that greater grasp of invasive species issues and more communication between different parties were needed to enhance the biosecurity of Yadua Taba and Monuriki islands.

There were also agreements on the need for biosecurity inspections on local and international researchers and other visitors to the islands. For further information, contact Marleen Baling (email: m.baling@auckland.ac.nz), Pacific Invas-ives Initiative, IUCN Invasive Species Specialist Group (ISSG).

Island Invasives conference The international conference Island Invasives: Eradication and Management was held on 8–12 February 2010 in Auckland, New Zealand. The full peer-reviewed proceedings will be published next year. The count so far is 98 papers and addresses, followed by abstracts for 53 other papers that were presented. The title for the proceedings is likely to be: Veitch CR, Clout MN and Towns DR (eds) 2011. Island Invasives: Eradication and Management. IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature), Gland, Switzerland. See ISSG website (http://www.issg.org) for updates.

Fijian Crested Iguana (image: SeanMack)

14

Closing address by A. Burbidge: My interest in island conservation grew out of work to conserve Australia’s mammals: the shocking figure of 22 extinctions since 1788 would have been 30 without populations on continental islands. My efforts to eradicate invasive animals on islands commenced in 1969 with the eradication of rabbits on the 19 ha Carnac Island. Eradication of goats on the 4267 ha Bernier Island and black rats on the 24 ha Bedout Island were followed by many others in Western Australia; the last one I led being the eradication of black rats and feral cats on and archipelago – the Montebello Islands. Recently, I’ve participated in developing a quarantine management system for the 23,000 ha Barrow Island. This personal journey mirrors, to some extent, the development of island management for biodiversity conservation worldwide. Island management for biodiversity conservation is very important: islands contain a disproportionate share of the world’s terrestrial species including many endemics, islands are vital breeding places for seabirds, sea turtles and seals; islands are especially vulnerable to the impact of invasive species; eradication of invasive species is possible on islands; and successful conservation actions, especially eradication of invasives, are among those with greatest benefit to biodiversity at the least cost. A comparison between papers delivered at the 2001 and 2010 conferences shows that more nations are conducting invasive species eradications, a wider array of invasive species is

being addressed, larger and more remote islands are now the subject of invasive species work and more projects are being conducted on inhabited islands. Future issues that remain unresolved include rat eradication on tropical rain-forested islands; dealing with difficult species such as tramp ants and mongoose; reducing impact on various non-target species; dealing with inhabited islands, animal welfare and ethics; properly documenting costs and benefits; and the implications of project failure. Prevention is better than the cure and island biosecurity is becoming increasingly important. The 2010 conference demonstrated the importance of managing invasive species on islands across the spectrum of prevention (biosecurity/quarantine), detection, control and eradication, plus the necessary post-project monitoring. It is clear that managing biodiversity on islands is extremely cost effective and it is not surprising that interest in this subject is increasing worldwide. Simberloff’s (2001) challenge in the keynote address at the 2001 conference: ‘Today Tiritiri Matangi, tomorrow the world!’ is as relevant today as it was then. Reprinted with permission from: ‘2001 to 2010 and beyond: Trends and future directions in the eradication of invasive species on islands’ by Andrew Burbidge (email amburbidge@westnet. com.au), Department of Environment and Conservation, Western Australia; and Consultant Conservation Biologist.

International workshop: Helping Islands Adapt ‘Helping Islands Adapt: A workshop on regional action to combat invasive alien species on islands to preserve biodiversity and adapt to climate change’ was held 11–16 April 2010 in Auckland, New Zealand. 82 participants from 24 countries and territories and 29 national, regional and international organisations attended the workshop. It focussed on four regions — the Caribbean, Coral Triangle, Pacific and Indian Oceans — and on international support by networks and organisations. Its purpose was to identify and

strengthen mechanisms that enable effective and sustainable invasive alien species management for islands. Participants discussed obstacles to effective invasive species management, and showcased success stories that made significant conservation gains. The workshop recommended priority actions for international fora such as the Convention on Biological Diversity, including:

15

• recognition of the linkages between climate change and invasive species and their combined impacts on island biodiversity

• enhanced support for regional collaborations and initiatives dealing with invasive species

• a mechanism to facilitate the sharing of experiences with invasive species management

• improved linkages to overseas territories, dependencies and other insular jurisdictions

• focus on invasive species as drivers for biodiversity loss.

A summary of the workshop outcomes is available at: http://www.conference.co.nz/files/HelpingIslandsAdapt_web.pdf

15th Australasian Vertebrate Pests Conference The Australasian Vertebrate Pest Conference is held every three years to bring together researchers, managers, students and policy makers dealing with pest animals. The next conference will be held in June 2011 in Sydney, Australia. A symposium is being organised on ‘Island Pest Eradications’, and people interested in contributing can contact Elaine Murphy (email emurphy@doc.govt.nz) or John Parkes (email ParkesJ@landcareresearch.co.nz). Early bird regis-trations and call for papers will open in September. The conference will be hosted by the Invasive Animals Cooperative Research Centre and the New South Wales Department of Industry and Investment. For more information see the AVPC website [http://www.avpc.net.au/].

Rats and reindeer on South Georgia, Atlantic Ocean The Government of the South Georgia and South Sandwich Islands (GSGSSI) has approved the first phase of the Habitat Restoration Project aiming to eradicate rats. This project will be in two parts, with Phase 1 expected to start in February 2011 and aiming to eradicate rats from the land between two large and currently rat-proof glaciers on the central north coast (the Nordenskjld and Neumayer glaciers) including the Thatcher, Mercer and adjacent Greene peninsulas. It will employ a 10-person field team, last two years and be a limited-area trial with follow-up monitoring. This is a small proportion of the land area of South Georgia, but substantially larger than Campbell Island — the largest island ever cleared of rodents to date. Phase 1 will be used to assess non-target impacts and whether the methods used are

suitable in the extreme environment of South Georgia. Phase 2 should follow over the next three years commencing February 2013, to clear the remainder of the island. The GSGSSI is currently seeking comments on options for controlling reindeer on South Georgia. A discussion document including the history of reindeer on the island, a summary of their impacts and possible management options is available at: http://www.sgisland.gs/download/South%20Georgia%20Reindeer%20Management.pdf.Comments may be sent by 3 September to Darren Christie (email env@gov.gs), Environment Officer GSGSSI. From South Georgia Newsletter, June and July 2010 [http://www.sght.org/].

16

Natural World Heritage listing for islands The landscapes of France’s La Reunion Island, Russia’s Siberian Putorana Plateau and the Phoenix Islands Protected Areas of Kiribati have been added to the List of Natural World Heritage sites by UNESCO following IUCN’s recommendations. [IUCN News http://www.iucn.org/?5751/New-natural-jewels-on-the-World-Heritage-crown] In contrasting news, the United Nations has warned Britain that it is at risk of losing Natural World Heritage status for Henderson Island (part of the Pitcairn Islands) in the South Pacific and Gough

Island in the South Atlantic, unless funding is urgently provided to eradicate rodents threatening critically endangered bird species. Rats and mice prey on the chicks and eggs of the birds. The two islands are uninhabited and among the most inaccessible places in the world (see Henderson Island article below). From The Independent, August 2010 http://www.independent.co.uk/environment/nature/plague-of-rats-a-threat-to-islands-heritage-status-2044909.html]

Restoration of Henderson Island — World Heritage Site Subtropical Henderson Island, located in the UK Overseas Territory of the Pitcairn group, central South Pacific, is one of the most remote islands on the planet (over 4,500 kilometres from the nearest continent). Uninhabited, the 37 square kilometres island is the last near-pristine raised coral island of significant size in the world, home to over 55 endemic species found nowhere else on earth. It is a global stronghold for the gadfly petrel group and the only known nesting site for the endangered Henderson petrel. The island also has four endemic land-bird species (Henderson crake, Henderson lorikeet, Henderson fruit-dove, and Henderson reed-warbler), nine endemic plant species, at least eight endemic snail species and important nesting habitat for green turtles. For all these reasons it was declared a natural World Heritage Site in 1988. Although uninhabited by the time it was discovered by Europeans in 1606, Henderson Island had previously been occupied by Polynesians for over 600 years, in which period Pacific rats were introduced to the island. Four endemic landbird species disappeared soon after the Polynesian arrival, and the seabird populations started their long decline. Evidence from fieldwork has shown that rats kill 95 per cent of chicks of the four species of Pterodroma petrels that occur on Henderson Island within the first week of hatching (25,000 chicks every year). Population modeling indicates

that petrel numbers have therefore dropped from a probable 5 million pairs before rats arrived to just 40,000 pairs today, threatening the Henderson petrel with extinction. For several years, the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) has therefore been working with the Pitcairn Islanders and other partners to develop plans for the restoration of Henderson Island. It would represent the largest tropical or sub-tropical island yet cleared of introduced rodents, so an extensive planning process

Henderson petrel (image: Alve Henricson)

17

has been undertaken. Following completion of a feasibility study in 2008 by Michael Brooke and David Towns, a UK Government-funded research expedition visited Henderson Island in September 2009 to resolve outstanding technical issues. The two key questions involved whether Henderson rails could be captured with reasonable ease and successfully held in captivity, and whether bait consumption rates by native hermit crabs would render bait unavailable to all rats. The captive rail management succeeded, and experiments found that 100 per cent of rats in high-density crab areas consumed rhodamine-dyed bait when distributed at varying densities. The green light was therefore given for an eradication project to proceed, contingent on the required funds being raised. With the information from the expedition, and support from the Packard Foundation, a revised operational plan has now been drafted and work is

focusing on raising the required funds — an estimated GBP £1.7 million. Funds need to be secured early to allow for sufficient planning time, so we are aiming to have the majority of income secured by the end of September 2010. The operation itself is tentatively scheduled for July–September 2011, with the aim of being able to declare Henderson Island rat-free by late 2013, the 25th anniversary of the island’s designation as a World Heritage Site. For further information, contact Jonathan Hall (email jonathan.hall@rspb.org.uk), Henderson Island Project Coordinator or see the website http://www.rspb.org.uk/hendersonisland. A newsletter updating progress of the Henderson Island Restoration Project is also produced 3–4 times a year. The feasibility study and draft operational plan are available on request.

Success story in the International Year of Biodiversity The rediscovery and recovery of a presumed-extinct fern has become an exciting success story for the UK overseas territory of Ascension Island in the South Atlantic. The UK Overseas Territories are home to the UK's richest biodiversity, and Ascension Island contains 10 species found nowhere else in the world. Goats released onto the island in the 1500s, and the later introduction of rabbits, sheep, rats and donkeys, together with over 200 species of invasive plants, have pressured the island's native flora. The rediscovered parsley fern, Anogramma ascensionis, has been painstakingly rescued and regenerated as part of the Ascension Island Endemic Plants Conservation Project funded by the Overseas Territories Environment Programme.

It is hoped the rare species will eventually be restored to some of its former wild habitats on Ascension Island. Other endangered endemic plants have been rescued and propagated, and a successful feral cat eradication program has seen the return of hundreds of pairs of seabirds to the island. From 7th Space [http://7thspace.com/headlines/349031/the_rediscovery_of_a_fern_is_part_of_a_rescue_effort_to_save_the_plants_of_the_tiny_uk_overseas_territory_of_ascension_island.html] and the IUCN site [http://www.iucn.org/iyb/iucn_action_22/our_scientists/?5149/Saving-Ascensions-wildlife].

Non-native midge thrives on Antarctic island Scientists with the British Antarctic Survey (BAS) have discovered that the chironomid midge, a species of fly originally from South Georgia, has flourished in the Antarctic since its accidental introduction to Signy Island. These midges could

become invasive and damaging, according to research presented on invasive species in Antarctica at the International Polar Year science conference in Oslo in June.

18

The midge is thought to have entered the island via plants brought to Antarctica for research purposes. Although discovered in the 1980s, it wasn’t until the 1990s and early 2000s that its populations exploded. With over 400,000 larvae per square meter in its densest population, it is more numerous than any of the native insects in certain areas. There are currently about 200 non-native species on the sub-Antarctic islands including mice, rats, sheep, cats, beetles and aphids. Ground beetles

have been particularly invasive, preying on the native insects. The effect the chironomid midge is having on the rest of the ecosystem is currently being studied. From Live Science June, 2010 [http://www.livescience.com/environment/invasive-species-antarctic-islands-100616.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+Livesciencecom+%28LiveScience.com+Science+Headline+Feed%29]

Lionfish incursion in U.S. Virgin Islands

Venomous and invasive lionfish have been identified and killed on four separate occasions in the U.S. Virgin Islands since 2008, with the most recent incident being July this year. The lionfish is native to the Indo-Pacific, but has proved adept at surviving in oceans across the world. The fish first appeared in Caribbean waters in the 1990s, probably as a result of release by aquarium hobbyists. Many marine biologists fear the species will permanently disrupt the Caribbean ecosystem. In an attempt to control the lionfish invasion, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Adminis-tration has launched an ‘Eat Lionfish’ campaign, to work with chefs, fishermen and wholesalers to promote a market for these fish. NOAA scientists have determined that a major fishing effort will be needed to reduce lionfish numbers and mitigate their impact on reef ecosystems.

Global Island Plant Conservation Network The Global Island Plant Conservation Network (GIPCN) was established during the 4th Global Botanical Garden Congress in June. The purpose of the GIPCN is to facilitate networking, indentify and fill gaps, and identify and document good-practice examples to promote among island plant conservationists.

Some initial activities that may be addressed through the GIPCN include:

• rapid assessment of the status of island plant diversity

• documentation and monitoring of ex situ conservation of island plants

• facilitation of rapid and effective early warning of emerging invasive species on islands.

Lionfish (image: Cajetan Barretto) From LiveScience, August 2010 [http://www.livescience.com/animals/lionfish-virgin-islands-100806.html].

19

The GIPCN network would like to expand to islands and areas of expertise across all oceanic regions. For more information, see the GIPCN website (http://www.bgci.org/ourwork/islands) or contact Christoph Kueffer (email kueffer@env.ethz.ch).

Identifying Important Bird Areas on Cook Islands

BirdLife International has received funding from the Critical Ecosystem Partnership Fund (CEPF) to produce an inventory of priority conservation sites for biodiversity in the Cook Islands, including Important Bird Areas (IBAs) — islands, forests and wetlands critically important for the survival of the region's native birds. Identifying IBAs in the Cook Islands is particularly urgent, since 15 of the 50 species of birds in the Cook Islands are globally threatened with extinction. The Rarotonga Monarch is one example of a once rare bird brought back from near extinction. Conservation measures are underway to develop a sustainable ecotourism venture on the island of Rarotonga where this bird is found. Intensive rat control is also carried out during the breeding season, and an insurance population has been established on the island of Atiu. From the identification and publication of IBAs for the Cook Islands, a conservation program to work with the government and local communities will be developed. BirdLife has previously produced an IBA publication for Fiji: 'Important Bird Areas in Fiji: Conserving Fiji's National Heritage'. From Wildlife Extra news July 2010 [http://www.wildlifeextra.com.au/go/news/cook-island-birds.html#cr]

RECENT PUBLICATIONS

Retreating glaciers allowing rat invasions A recent study of 103 coastal glaciers on sub-Antarctic island of South Georgia shows almost all of them have retreated considerably since the 1950s, and are continuing to retreat at an increasing rate. Melting of glacial barriers has increased the risk of brown rats (Rattus norvegicus) gaining access to important breeding colonies of ground-nesting birds, including South Georgia diving petrels, Antarctic prions, blue petrels, South Georgia pipits and yellow-billed

pintails. The authors recommend rat eradication or erection of man-made barriers, before further ice barriers are lost. Reference: Cook AJ, Poncet S, Cooper APR, Herbert DJ, Christie D. 2010. Glacier retreat on South Georgia and implications for the spread of rats. Antarctic Science. doi:10.1017/S0954102010000064. [Abstract at http://journals.cambridge.org/action/displayAbstract?fromPage=online&aid=7807880]

Rarotonga, Cook Islands (image: Alex Anderson, flickr)

20

Ecological rebound on Phillip Island, South Pacific Pigs, goats and rabbits released on Phillip Island quickly destroyed the sub-tropical vegetation and the soil. Despite the removal of pigs and goats by about 1900, rabbits prevented most plant establishment. An eradication program, using myxoma virus then poisoning with 1080 supplemented by shooting, trapping and gassing achieved effective rabbit eradication in 1988.

Subsequent regeneration of the island by native and weed species has been spectacular, and resulted in faunal changes. Some changes present policy challenges. Reference: Coyne P (2010). Ecological rebound on Phillip Island, South Pacific. Ecological Management & Restoration 11(1):4–15.

New detection of mongoose on Kyushu Island, Japan The small Indian mongoose Herpestes auropunctatus, is one of the most notorious invasive predators known. A population of Herpestes sp. recently reported and studied on Kyushu Island, Japan surprisingly turned out to have been established there for at least 30 years. Mitochondrial DNA analyses showed H. auropunctatus was present, confirming that an additional mongoose population has been established on Kyushu Island. Confirmation of the mongoose spatial distribution and surveillance in surrounding areas are urgently needed to prevent further expansion of this animal. This study highlights the large gap between the accepted

scientific knowledge relating to biosecurity against biological invasion and local knowledge on the ground, even when the introduced species is relatively conspicuous. Reference: New detection of a 30-year-old population of introduced mongoose Herpestes auropunctatus on Kyushu Island, Japan. Watari Y, Nagata J and Funakoshi K (2010). Biological Invasions 1387-3547 (Print) 1573-1464 (Online) DOI 10.1007/s10530-010-9809-5 [http://www.springerlink.com/content/f111802r6636p38g/]

Trained dogs to locate sparse rodents The success of using dogs to sniff out sparse rodents was tested by releasing small numbers of laboratory rats and mice in a 63 hectare rodent-free forest sanctuary and then determining if the dogs and their handlers could find the rodents and their scent trails. Results support the ongoing use of dogs to detect rodent survivors and invaders in conservation areas. Additional research is needed to trial dogs on experimentally released wild

rodents and to compare the cost-effectiveness of dogs with other detection methods. Reference: The success of using trained dogs to locate sparse rodents in pest-free sanctuaries. Gsell A, Innes J, de Monchy P and Brunton D (2010). Wildlife Research 37(1) 39–46. DOI:10.1071/WR09117

Global comparison of invasive plants on oceanic islands Much research has focused on invasive plants on oceanic islands, but findings from individual islands have rarely been compared between islands within or between biogeographic regions. In this study, a comprehensive, standardised dataset is presented on the global distribution of

invasive plant species in natural areas of oceanic islands. Reference: Kueffer C, Daehler CC, Torres-Santana CW, Lavergne C, Meyer J-Y, Otto R and Silva L (2010). A global comparison of plant invasions on oceanic islands. Perspectives in Plant Ecology, Evolution and Systematics 12: 145–161.

21

Optimal allocation of quarantine and surveillance resources How do you protect an island from being invaded by unwanted species? You can carry out off-island quarantine, or on-island surveillance, or apply a mixture of both. The latest ‘Decision Point’ newsletter of the Applied Environmental Decision Analysis (AEDA) research facility examines the economic trade-offs between quarantine and surveillance. See ‘Watch or Search? How do you protect islands from pest invasions’ article at

http://www.aeda.edu.au/docs/Newsletters/DPoint_42.pdf#view=Fit&pagemode=bookmarks&page=3.

Scientific reference: Moore JL, Rout TM, Hauser CE, Moro D, Jones M, Wilcox C and Possingham HP (2010). Protecting islands from pest invasion: optimal allocation of biosecurity resources between quarantine and surveillance. Biological Conservation 143:1068–1078.

U.S. State of the Birds report This publication reports on upland and wetland birds occurring in Hawai’i or on U.S. associated islands in the Pacific and Caribbean, focussing on impacts of climate change. Reference: The State of the Birds: 2010 Report on Climate Change. http://www.stateofthebirds.org/habitats/hawaiian-birds

Island ecosystem recovery following rat eradication Invasive rats destroy seabird colonies and thus the island ecosystems that depend on seabird-derived nutrients. After rat eradication, it is unclear how long ecosystem recovery may take. This study looks at ecosystem recovery in a group of islands that had from 12 to 22 years to recover following rat eradication. Soil, plant, and spider marine-derived nitrogen levels and C:N ratios take decades (not centuries) to recover even after centuries-long rat invasion. Experiments to test whether seabird restoration or augmentation restores island ecosystem functioning following

invasive rodent removal shows it could speed recovery even further. References: Jones HP (2010). Prognosis for ecosystem recovery following rodent eradication and seabird restoration in an island archipelago. Ecological Applications 20(5):1204–1216. Jones HP (2010). Seabird islands take mere decades to recover following rat eradication. Ecological Society of America (Preprint).

Invasive Species International (ISI) newsletter The second issue of ISI news came out in July, and includes articles on how controlling of one invasive species affect other pests and their impacts, a ‘spotlight on modelling’, database of Island Invasive Vertebrate Eradication Attempts and Invasive Species International Case Study. To subscribe, contact Landcare Research (email Landcare_Research@mail.vresp.com).

22

IUCN/ISSG newsletter Articles of relevance to islands in the latest Aliens: The Invasive Species Bulletin include:

• a summary of the international conference Island Invasives: Eradication and Manage-ment

• ‘Helping Islands Adapt’ Workshop • Introduced rats on Guafo Island (Chile) and

their potential impact on Sooty Shearwater

• Eradication of Invasive Mynas from islands. Is it possible?

See Issue #29 2010 [http://www.issg.org/pdf/aliens_newsletters/A29.pdf].

UPCOMING EVENTS

• Climate Change: Health and Ecology Conference. Sweden, 1-3 Sept 2010. [See http://www.sva.se/sv/navigera/tjanster_produkter/Utbildningar-och-kurser/Climate-Change-Health-and-Ecology/]

• Australasian Wildlife Management Society 2010 Conference. Torquay, Victoria, 1-3 December. [See http://www.onqconferences.com.au/events/awms10/home.html]

• Ecological Society of Australia 2010 Annual Conference. Australian National University, Canberra, 6-10 December. [See http://www.esa2010.org.au/]

• International Chemical Congress of Pacific Basin Societies. Honolulu, Hawaii, 15-20 December 2010. [See http://pacifichem.org/]

• 2nd International Invasive Birds Conference. Cape Town, South Africa, 7–9 March 2011. [See http://www.iibc2011.co.za/]

• 15th Australasian Vertebrate Pest Conference. Sydney, Australia, 20–23 June 2011. [See http://www.avpc.net.au/]

• BIOLIEF 2011 - 2nd World Conference on Biological Invasions and Ecosystem Functioning. Mar del Plata, Argentina, 21-24 November 2011. [See http://www.grieta.org.ar/biolief/]

• 25th International Congress for Conservation Biology. Christchurch, New Zealand, 29 Nov-2 Dec 2011.

We hope you found this newsletter interesting and informative — any constructive feedback is welcome. Thank-you to everyone who contributed to this edition. Our next newsletter will be due out in February 2011. If you would like to contribute, please contact Elaine Murphy (emurphy@doc.govt.nz) or Wendy Henderson (wendy.henderson@invasiveanimals.com).