Download Island Care Christmas Island PO Christmas Island WA 6798 ci

Environmental Biosecurity
Submission 79
Committee Secretary Senate Standing Committee on Environment and Communications Environmental Biosecurity PO Box 6100 Parliament House CANBERRA ACT 2600 Dear Committee Secretary Christmas Island is a small remote oceanic island, home to many unique and vulnerable species and habitats including Ramsar wetlands. It is home to the Christmas Island red crab. David Attenborough noted their annual migration is one of his top ten natural events in the world. Christmas Island is an external non self-­‐governing Territory. It is also the site of the most recent extinction in Australia April 2014 – the Christmas Island Forest Skink and in 2009 the Christmas Island Pipistrelle Bat. Both became extinct with barely any commentary, other than in the scientific and the greater Christmas Island community. Hardly a fitting end for these species. But a big wake-­‐up call for the vulnerability of the ecological systems, fauna and flora of this unique island. The reasons for these extinctions are unknown. The best scientific minds are working on these issues. They are also working on the current threats to our other vulnerable species – such as the Blue-­‐tailed skink and the Lister’s Gecko. Both are believed to be extinct in the wild. Captive breeding programs are underway but the animals cannot be released into the wild until the threats are known. However, invasive species such as the wolf snake, centipedes and others are suspects. The red crab is under threat from the invasive yellow crazy ant, thought to be one of the worlds 100 worst invasive species. Through the Christmas Island National Park work is underway to minimise the impacts of these ants on the red crabs through reduction of their food source. It is hoped that this program will be successful and receive the needed funding, approvals and support to ensure not only the species health but the health of the whole ecosystem. The red crab shapes the ecosystem. An investment to control the Yellow Crazy Ant on Christmas Island may also prove beneficial to develop better controls across Australia. We have observed a pattern – many of the threats are from invasive species. Island Care Christmas Island PO Christmas Island WA 6798 [email protected] Environmental Biosecurity
Submission 79
We have also observed the inadequacy of biosecurity measures to reduce the risk of entry and establishment of invasive species likely to harm this environment. We observed that there were no quarantine measures for many small boats arriving on these shores from Asia and are aware of the arrival of a bat and rats from these vessels. So far it appears luck, rather than good management has prevented another catastrophe. Island Care is a small community based group. We do not have the expertise to identify the risks and consequences of invasive species and therefore we refer you to the report of the Christmas Island Expert Working Group to protect the integrity of Christmas Island ecosystems from further unwanted introductions, prevent additional detrimental changes to the landscape and establish better environmental governance and management frameworks for the island, which is attached. The ecology of Christmas Island is significant on a global scale. Failure to deal with the current invasive species and prevent new incursions will come at a high cost to the environment, the economy (nature based tourism) and the community. Island Care Christmas Island PO Christmas Island WA 6798 [email protected]