Island Biosecurity Training - 28 June - 01 July, Suva, Fiji
Pacific Invasives Initiative's Island Biosecurity Training Course for National Trust of the Fiji Islands (NTF) was held in Suva, Fiji, in 28 June - 01 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 1) to enhance an understanding of island biosecurity, its purpose and how to maintain effective biosecurity programmes; 2) to enhance the knowledge and skills necessary to undertake basic biosecurity prevention, surveillance and incursion response; and 3) to collate information required for development of biosecurity plan for Yadua Taba. This 4-day training course was attended by NTF staff, who also invited participants from the land-owning 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 land-owners after a successful rat eradication (by Birdlife International and land-owners). 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.
Group photo of some of the participants of the island biosecurity training, Suva, Fiji (Photo by Marleen Baling) Photo Album
Helping Islands Adapt Workshop - 11-16 April 2010, Hyatt Regency, Auckland New Zealand
The purpose of the workshop was to identify and strengthen mechanisms that enable effective and sustainable invasive alien species management for islands. Outcomes included: 1) lessons from regional collaboration and coordination; 2) actions to strengthen invasive alien species management; 3) networks and resources to support implementation; and 4) key steps within international processes to catalyze and support regional efforts. Read More or vist Helping Islands Adapt Workshop
Some of the participants on a post-workshop field trip to Ark in the Park, a conservation project partnership between Forest and Bird and the Auckland Regional Council where volunteers control non-native predators to help restore the ecology of the rainforest. (Photo by Bill Nagle)
Auckland Seabirds: Conservation, Restoration and Research Seminar Day, 16 April 2010 at Tamaki Campus, University of Auckland
The Auckland Seabird conference was attended by 120 people from various institutions around New Zealand. The conference had three general themes; status of Auckland seabirds, seabird restoration and translocation on islands, and seabird restoration partnerships. Invited speakers for each theme were Graeme Taylor (DOC), Colin Miskelly (DOC) and Henrick Møller (UO). Most of the current NZ seabird restoration projects have focused on burrowing seabirds on pest-free offshore islands, where they highlighted the importance of community involvement to the success of seabird translocations. The speakers discussed different techniques that was refined and adapted over time to increase the success of following seabird restoration projects. The talks also addressed on the need for respectful collaboration between scientists, managers, local community/ indigenous groups and the government, and necessity in knowledge transmission (either traditional or scientific) between these groups. Town’s presented a history of global impacts and ecology of invasive species on seabird communities. Case examples provided indicated that the spread of current seabird predators can be controlled and reversed. Towns also reminded that such restoration actions (e.g. eradication and control), including experimental ones, are needed if we want the islands to survive into the future (“If we fail, we are all doomed”). The conference ended with a discussion panel (Mike Lee, ARC; Graeme Taylor, DOC; Colin Miskelly, DOC; Henrick Møller, UO; Mel Galbriath, Unitec/OSNZ; and Robin Gardner-Gee, MRS) titled “Do we need a regional seabird strategy in Auckland?” All participants came to an consensus that a plan is a good idea, however many cautioned on the level of detail to be placed in such plan. Some were concerned that too much time could easily be spent on discussions or details of a seabird restoration plan instead of putting equal or more effort on the actual implementation of projects. Additional concerns raised were the lack in acknowledgement in links between terrestrial and marine ecosystem restorations; reinforcement in recreational fishermen in the Hauraki Gulf; and concerns on mainland restoration (currently there is much focus on island restoration). Acronyms: The island biosecurity training for Nu’utele and Nu’ulua Islands was held at Apia, Samoa, in March 2010. The purposes of the training were1) to develop general understanding of invasive species and biosecurity on Nu’utele and Nu’ulua islands by the participants; 2) to develop knowledge and skills necessary to undertake basic surveillance and incursion responses; 3) to collect local knowledge for contribution to the island biosecurity plan, and 4) to develop an initial visitors’ biosecurity checklist to the islands. This 4-day training course was attended by up to 22 participants from Samoa’s Ministry for Natural Resources and Environment (MNRE), the Aleipata Marine Protected Area (MPA) committee leaders, and the Samoa Ports Authority (SPA). The training covered the three steps of biosecurity, and introduced basic concepts to the participants. These were reinforced with several practical exercises, which included a fieldtrip to Satitoa wharf to examine biosecurity issues at the departure site. The participatory approach of this training was to encourage personal opinions and to share experiences and discussion by the group. All participants expressed an increased level of understanding on invasive species, its current issues, and importance of biosecurity to the islands. The participants agreed on the importance of public awareness for effective island biosecurity. This training also identified several issues or recommendations which will be followed up in the next few months by agencies who have participated.
ARC – Auckland Regional Council
DOC – New Zealand Department of Conservation
MRS – Motuora Restoration Society
OSNZ – Ornithological Society of New Zealand
UO – University of OtagoIsland biosecurity training for the Aleipata Island Group, Samoa 8 – 11 March 2010
Participants of the Biosecurity Training, Apia, Samoa. Photo Album
Island Invasives: Eradication and Management Conference 8-12 February 2010
The University of Auckland, Tamaki Campus was the centre of attention for over 240 people from 25 countries in early February, getting into the fine detail of ‘Island Invasives; eradication and management.’
The CBB hosted the international conference. Mick Clout, Director for the CBB, said the conference expanded on the theme of another successful one on this subject, held at the University nine years ago.
“New Zealand is regarded as a world leader and a source of expertise in eradicating introduced flora and fauna from islands,” he said.
“Islands are particularly vulnerable as they often have species which are not able to deal with introduced predators. We discussed work being carried out in New Zealand and elsewhere where there have been big advances in the size of the islands from which invasive species can be eradicated.
For instance, the New Zealand Department of Conservation is eliminating stoats and deer from Resolution Island in Fiordland, which is larger than the area of Auckland. Similarly ambitious programmes are now being planned on islands around world.
The Conference also looked at the benefits that arise from successful eradications of invasive species from islands, such as restoring their native flora and fauna.
Several talks highlighted the social dimensions of eradications, with projects often being carried out on islands where people live.
Mick Clout advised that peer-reviewed proceedings will be published in about a year. He will be one of the editors along with Dick Veitch, the Conference organiser.
Invasive plant project management American Samoa Community College Mapusaga, Tutuila Island, American Samoa 25 January - 4 February, 2010
As a result of successful workshops in Palau and Pohnpei, PII was asked to deliver a training workshop for the Forestry Programme of the Community and Natural Resources Division of the American Samoa Community College.The design, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of priority invasive plant management projects in American Samoa were covered at a workshop at the American Samoa Community College on Tutuila from 25 January to 4 February, 2010. Participants worked in teams to plan their priority projects. The workshop was based on active learning principles and gave attendees the skills necessary to collect and manage data for project planning, implementation and accountability for successful project management. An efficient and effective data collection and management system that is easy to use and maintain and adaptable to other invasive species projects across the Pacific was further developed.
This was the most successful workshop yet as participants had prepared well for the content areas. Participant evaluations of the workshop gave scores of 100% to questions about the workshop meeting their expectations and whether the methods used in the workshop would help them in their work. Comments offered included “The workshop presented way more than I expected. It is the best weed training I have taken over the last 12 years.” and “The workshop offered a practical approach to weed management.”
Participants at the end of the training workshop on invasive plant project management
in American Samoa. (Photo: Tony Mauga Lei)
Pacific Biocontrol Strategy Workshop 16-18 November 2009 Auckland New Zealand.
Pacific Islanders and plant health specialists from the international community recently tackled the issue of adopting biological control as a tool for fighting invasive pests and weeds in agriculture, forestry and important ecosystems. The workshop, held in Auckland, New Zealand decided that Pacific Island countries and territories (PICTs) can share more information between agriculture, forestry and biodiversity conservation groups to better address biocontrol work, as well as look at strategies implemented in other regions in the use of biocontrol agents to fight invasive plants and pests. Learn MoreKeep up with current events at SPC Land Resources Division - www.spc.int/lrd
Participants at the Pacific Biocontrol Strategy Workshop, November 2009, Auckland, New Zealand.
Review of the Biology and Ecology of the Common Myna (Acridotheres tristis) and some implications for management of this invasive species
To help with management of common mynas (Acridotheres tristis), PII has prepared a review of international literature on myna biology and ecology. The information has been interpreted in the context of New Zealand simply because that is where a lot of the available information is from. The review will provide a baseline for myna management work for practitioners in Pacific Island Countries and Territories ... Read More
Lord Howe Island Rodent Eradication plan available for public comment
The Draft Lord Howe Island Rodent Eradication Plan provides an overview of the proposed eradication programme of rodents from the Lord Howe Island (LHI) Group, situated 760 km north-east of Sydney, Australia. LHI was inscribed as a World Heritage Area in 1982, and has global environmental significance.
The plan will be released on Friday 30th October 2009 for 28 days, and can be obtained from the DECCW website at -
http://www.environment.nsw.gov.au/pestsweeds/IntroducedRats.htm
Guidelines for Invasive Species Management in the Pacific Recently Published
SPREP recently released the above document which lists the essential components of a comprehensive and effective invasive species management programme. For more information and to download the guidelines visit: http://www.sprep.org/publication/pub_detail.asp?id=699
Viwa Island: Working with the Local Community
on an Invasive Species Management Project
This case study highlights the social aspects of a rat eradication project...READ MORE
Visit by IUCN Director-General, Ms Julia Marton-Lefevre
08-06-09: Staff of PII (Pacific Invasives Initiative) and members of the Invasive Species Specialist Group (ISSG) had the pleasure of meeting with the Director-General of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) on Saturday, 6 June, 2009 at the Tamaki Campus of The University of Auckland. Discussions were held on invasive species management, New Zealand’s world-leading role in the field and the work of the IUCN.
The IUCN Director-General was accompanied by Taholo Kami (IUCN Regional Director, Oceania), Diane Shand (IUCN Regional Councillor, Oceania) and Andrew Bignell (Manager International Relations, Department of Conservation). Prior to her visit to Tamaki Campus, Ms Lefevre had visited sanctuaries at Karori in Wellington and Tiritiri Matangi in Auckland where DOC staff showed her the conservation benefits arising from invasive species management.
As a result of her experiences in New Zealand and discussions with ISSG and PII staff, the Director-General acknowledged the importance of invasive species management in both biodiversity and livelihood areas and pledged IUCN support for the programmes at Tamaki and invasive species management initiatives in Oceania. Her visit, the first to Oceania, also provided the opportunity for discussions to strengthen the role of IUCN in delivering its value propositions with IUCN commission members, members and potential members in the region.
Photograph caption:
Members of the Pacific Invasives Initiative and the IUCN Invasive Species Specialist Group with Ms Julia Marton–Lefevre, IUCN’s Director-General (holding book), Andrew Bignell, Manager International Relations DOC (left), Taholo Kami, IUCN Regional Director Oceania (2nd from left) and Diane Shand Regional Councillor Oceania (4th from right) at Tamaki Campus, The University of Auckland.
Weed Management Project Design and Implementation Workshop a Success
The workshop was a collaborative effort promoted by the Micronesian Regional Invasive Species Council and hosted by the Pohnpei Invasive Species Taskforce. Funding came from the German Government’s Lifeweb Initiative and logistics were organised by The Nature Conservancy and the Conservation Society of Pohnpei.
The Pacific Invasives Initiative’s roles were in coordinating specialist technical input to the workshop, working with the various agencies to organise the training and facilitating the workshop. Participants from The Republic of the Marshall Islands, the States of Kosrae, Pohnpei, Chuuk and Yap of the Federated States of Micronesia and The Republic of Palau worked on planning their priority weed eradication projects. The workshop covered designing, implementing, monitoring and evaluating to ensure success of their projects. Lessons learned from the workshop will provide a model for other invasive species management projects in the Pacific.
