A feasibility study which looks at the eradication of three introduced species from Stewart Island has been completed. However, it will be up to the community to decide what happens next, says the organisation leading the study.
In 2007, the Stewart Island/Rakiura Community and Environment Trust (SIRCET) secured funding from the Tindall Foundation to investigate the possibility of having Stewart Island free of rats, wild cats and possums.
SIRCET, a charitable community trust, has for the last five years been focusing on restoring habitat around the urban settlement of Halfmoon Bay through pest control and species monitoring.
SIRCET comprises of five trustees, employs two Stewart Island residents and has a volunteer base of about 43 people.
To date, around 3500 volunteer hours have resulted in significant conservation gains for the Oban township area.
With about 340 possums and 2500 rats having been removed from the 208ha project restoration area, monitoring has shown increases in some native bird species of up to 230%, as well as a significant increase in native seedlings and mistletoe.
Driven by the results to date, the visible difference to the environment and the success of other nearby island pest eradications by the Department of Conservation such as Whenua Hou/Codfish Island, Bench, Ulva and Campbell Islands the organisation thought a total eradication worthy of investigation.
SIRCET spokesperson Jo Learmonth said the scoping document is the first of many steps towards an eradication proposal.
She said while the study suggests that eradication is within the realms of possibility, there are many technical and social aspects which need to be addressed.
"The trust is pleased to have looked at the feasibility and concept of eradication, but it is only the first step in a very long process which will involve the community throughout," Mrs Learmonth said.
The next stage for the trust is to engage with the community and interested parties to discuss where to from here, she said.
The eradication document was written by Brent Beaven, who was seconded from DOC to carry out the work for the trust.
Mrs Learmonth said the community and interested parties will need time to go over the document before the next step can be taken, if it is taken at all.
The 140 page document is available from SIRCET's website, www.sircet.org.nz, or by contacting Jo Learmonth on 027 441 0166.
