ENVIRONMENT WATCH
KEEP YOUR VESSEL AND GEAR CLEAN TO PROTECT KAURI
BY JEFF COOK P
est-free islands are a special part of the New Zealand environment, acting as sanctuaries for our vulnerable native species away from mainland threats.
Along with the pest eradication and control work carried out, the long-term success of these islands is also assured, thanks to recreational and commercial skippers and passengers checking their vessels and gear and ensuring pests like rats, mice and ants are not hiding onboard.
Animal pests are just one part of the problem. There are also threats to the island's ecosystems which are not so easily seen but which have a big impact, including weed seeds and plant diseases spread by soil movement.
One such threat is kauri dieback disease, which is killing trees
in Auckland, Northland and on Great Barrier Island and has no treatment or cure. Symptoms include bleeding lesions at the base of the tree, yellowing leaves, a thinning canopy and dead branches.
Kauri dieback disease is spread by spores in the soil which attack the tree through its roots. Although the disease is present on Great Barrier Island, other islands in the Hauraki Gulf and elsewhere remain disease-free and there are simple hygiene measures you can undertake to protect healthy kauri forest. "Any soil movement can move the disease around, so any vehicles, machinery, bicycle tyres and other equipment being transported to islands should be cleaned before leaving the mainland," says Dr Nick Waipara of Auckland Council Biosecurity. "This can be done by waterblasting or cleaning dirty equipment to remove all the soil."
Crew and passengers should also ensure they have clean footwear. There are brushes installed at ferry terminals going to Tiritiri Matangi, Rangitoto and Motutapu Islands to scrub footwear to remove weed seeds and soil, and vessels could carry their own scrubbing brushes and cleaning equipment. These same hygiene measures should be followed when the vessel is home again or is travelling between different islands. This not only keeps kauri dieback disease from spreading, but also ensures equipment is clean of weed seeds and other diseases. "Good hygiene is the most important weapon we have against kauri dieback right now as we research treatment options. We need to stop the disease spreading and protect the areas that are still healthy," says Dr Waipara.
Treasure islands Check for stowaways PLEASE
CHECK YOUR BOAT AND GEAR FOR RATS, MICE, ARGENTINE ANTS, RAINBOW SKINKS, SOIL AND SEEDS
SET BAIT OR TRAPS FOR ANIMAL PESTS REPORT ANY SIGHTINGS TO 0800 DOC HOT (0800 362 468)
March/April 2012 Professional Skipper 55
In Auckland the disease has been found in the Waitakere Ranges Regional Park, Pakiri, Okura and Albany scenic reserves, Awhitu Peninsula, Great Barrier Island and private
land around Auckland. It has also been found in Waipoua Forest, Trounson Kauri Park and the forest plantations of Omahuta, Glenbervie and Russell in Northland.
Partners in the national long-term management programme for kauri dieback are the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, the Department of Conservation, the Auckland Council, Northland Regional Council, Bay of Plenty Regional Council and Waikato Regional Council, and iwi. See www.kauridieback.co.nz and www.treasureislands.co.nz
Jeff Cook is a Biosecurity Specialist Hauraki Gulf for the Auckland Council
www.projectislandsong.co.nz www.treasureislands.co.nz
