PGR News from the Pacific

Posted 3:15 PM by Luigi

USP joins fight against alien species

From the Fiji Times, October 10, 2005.

THE University of the South Pacific has joined an international network which aims to eradicate invasive alien species (IAS) which are one of the greatest threats to biodiversity in island ecosystems.

USP is now part of the Pacific Invasives Learning Network (PILN) following there cent signing of a Memorandum of Understanding by Vice-Chancellor Professor Anthony Tarr.

Dr Craig Morley, of the Department of Biology, who is spearheading this initiative from the University end, explained that invasive species were a priority for Pacific Island Nations because islands were highly vulnerable to invasions that could result in catastrophic loss of biodiversity and affect other organisms.

"When an organism is accidentally orintentionally introduced into a new landscape or seascape, the consequences can be devastating, posing a large threat to agriculture, public health, tourism and other economic activities.

"Invasive plants and animals can spread unchecked, disrupting natural cycles and costing billions of dollars in damage as well as crowd out our native species.''

However, he pointed out that the relatively small size and isolation of Pacific Islands offers important opportunities for preventing new invasions and eradicating pest species.

"Although we are really vulnerable, we are also in a position to do something about it. For example here in Fiji we are in the process of trying to eradicate rats and cane toads which are invasive alien species. There are other islands in the region that have similar initiatives going on for other species but because we don't get to hear about this work we don't know about the success and failures,'' said Dr Morley. "In some parts of the Pacific, experienced conservation professionals have developed model programmes to prevent, eradicate or control certain high-priority invaders, such as rodents, feral animals and invasive weeds.

"However, according to the Global Invasive Species Programme, in most Pacific Island countries, there is a profound lack of awareness about invasive alien species and an almost complete absence of capacity to deal with these pests. For example, the mongoose - many people in Fiji have grown up with them and don't take much notice of them. But this is where we, the members of the network come in, to inform them and provide them with the tools to take control of the situation.''

Dr Morley explained that the reason behind the setting up of PILN was to empower effective IAS management through a participant-driven network that met priority needs, rapidly shares skills and resources, provides links to technical expertise, increases information exchange, and accelerates on the ground action.



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THE University of the South Pacific has joined an international network which aims to eradicate invasive alien species (IAS) which are one of the greatest threats to biodiversity in island ecosystems. USP is now part of the Pacific Invasives Learning Network (PILN) following there cent signing of a Memorandum of Understanding by Vice-Chancellor Professor Anthony Tarr. Dr Craig Morley, of the Department of Biology, who is spearheading this initiative from the University end, explained that invasive species were a priority for Pacific Island Nations because islands were highly vulnerable to invasions that could result in catastrophic loss of biodiversity and affect other organisms. "When an organism is accidentally orintentionally introduced into a new landscape or seascape, the consequences can be devastating, posing a large threat to agriculture, public health, tourism and other economic activities. "Invasive plants and animals can spread unchecked, disrupting natural cycles and costing billions of dollars in damage as well as crowd out our native species.'' However, he pointed out that the relatively small size and isolation of Pacific Islands offers important opportunities for preventing new invasions and eradicating pest species. "Although we are really vulnerable, we are also in a position to do something about it. For example here in Fiji we are in the process of trying to eradicate rats and cane toads which are invasive alien species. There are other islands in the region that have similar initiatives going on for other species but because we don't get to hear about this work we don't know about the success and failures,'' said Dr Morley. "In some parts of the Pacific, experienced conservation professionals have developed model programmes to prevent, eradicate or control certain high-priority invaders, such as rodents, feral animals and invasive weeds. "However, according to the Global Invasive Species Programme, in most Pacific Island countries, there is a profound lack of awareness about invasive alien species and an almost complete absence of capacity to deal with these pests. For example, the mongoose - many people in Fiji have grown up with them and don't take much notice of them. But this is where we, the members of the network come in, to inform them and provide them with the tools to take control of the situation.'' Dr Morley explained that the reason behind the setting up of PILN was to empower effective IAS management through a participant-driven network that met priority needs, rapidly shares skills and resources, provides links to technical expertise, increases information exchange, and accelerates on the ground action. * Comments: Post a Comment	Archive October 2002 November 2002 December 2002 January 2003 February 2003 March 2003 April 2003 May 2003 June 2003 July 2003 August 2003 September 2003 October 2003 November 2003 December 2003 January 2004 February 2004 March 2004 April 2004 May 2004 June 2004 July 2004 August 2004 September 2004 October 2004 November 2004 December 2004 January 2005 February 2005 March 2005 April 2005 May 2005 June 2005 July 2005 August 2005 September 2005 October 2005 November 2005 December 2005 January 2006 February 2006 March 2006 April 2006 May 2006 June 2006 July 2006 August 2006 September 2006 October 2006 November 2006 December 2006 January 2007 February 2007 March 2007 April 2007 May 2007 June 2007 July 2007 August 2007 September 2007 October 2007 November 2007 December 2007 January 2008 February 2008 March 2008 April 2008 May 2008 June 2008 July 2008 August 2008 September 2008 October 2008 November 2008 December 2008 January 2009 February 2009 March 2009 April 2009 May 2009 June 2009 July 2009 August 2009 September 2009 October 2009 November 2009 January 2010 RSS Feed Alternative feed Contact Tevita Something new: Agrobiodiversity Weblog: For discussions of conservation and sustainable use of the genetic resources of crops, livestock and their wild relatives. 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