27 September 2011: Ulva Island rat eradication update
I am very happy to report that last week's bait drop of the rat toxin brodifacoum across Ulva Island was completed according to plan and in perfect weather.
Monitoring
DOC will monitor the island with traps, tracking tunnels and dogs over the next few months, but it is likely it will be at least a year before the operation can be deemed successful.
An improved network of biosecurity traps is in place and staff will be checking and rebaiting these traps at regular intervals.
Visiting Ulva Island
Ulva is again open to the public, however we would like to remind anyone visiting the island:
- DO NOT touch bait
- WATCH CHILDREN at all times
It is also now more important than ever that everyone visiting Ulva Island continues to be vigilant to ensure that they do not unwittingly transport rats, mice or seeds to the island.
Fish and shellfish around Ulva Island
During the course of the bait drop some bait may have entered the sea. Measures were taken to keep this to a minimum.
DOC and Te Whaka ā Te Wera/Paterson Inlet Mātaitai Committee advise people not to fish within 100m of Ulva Island until further notice.
DOC is conducting testing to ensure that the poison isn't in fish or shellfish surrounding the island. Until the test results come back clear, we recommend that people do not eat fish or shellfish caught within the Mataitai Reserve within 100m of the coast of Ulva Island and surrounding rock stacks.
For any questions regarding this please contact the DOC Stewart Island Field Centre (+64 3 219 0002) or members of the Mataitai Committee.
Brent Beaven, Biodiversity Programme Manager