EPA Report: Verified Source: Pestlink Operational Report for Ship Control in the Tennyson Inlet Reserve - Mt Stanley 2014-15

10 Oct 2014 - 08 Dec 2014 4/05/2015 Department of Conservation Waitohi / Picton Contents

1. Operation Summary ...... 2 2. Introduction ...... 3 2.1 TREATMENT AREA ...... 3 2.2 MANAGEMENT HISTORY ...... 5 3 Outcomes and Targets ...... 5 3.1 CONSERVATION OUTCOMES ...... 5 3.2 TARGETS ...... 5 3.2.1 Result Targets ...... 5 3.2.2 Outcome Targets ...... 5 4 Consultation, Consents & Notifications ...... 6 4.1 CONSULTATION ...... 6 4.2 CONSENTS ...... 6 4.3 NOTIFICATION ...... 6 5 Methods ...... 7 5.1 TARGET ...... 7 5.2 ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS ...... 10 5.2.1 Effects on Non-Target Species ...... 10 5.2.2 Effects on Soil and Water Quality ...... 10 5.2.3 Effects on Ecosystems ...... 10 5.2.4 Effects on Human Health ...... 10 6 Monitoring Results and Outcomes ...... 11 6.1 RESULT MONITORING - TARGET SPECIES ...... 11 6.2 RESULT MONITORING - ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS ...... 12 6.3 OUTCOME MONITORING ...... 13

1. Operation Summary

Operation Name Ship rat Control in Tennyson Inlet Reserve - Mt Stanley 2014-15 Operation Date 10 Oct 2014 - 08 Dec 2014

Office: Waitohi / Picton Region: Northern and Western Pestlink Reference 1314SND03 Treatment Area Size (ha) Tennyson Inlet Reserve - Mt Stanley 2014- 3939.00 15 Conservation Unit Name(s) GA Id(s) Chance Penguin & Fairy Bays Scenic 2801848 Reserve Nydia Bay Scenic Reserve 2801858 Tennyson Inlet Scenic Reserve 2801859

Treatment Block Details Treatment Blocks Size (ha) Mt Stanley 3939.00

Anderson Helicopters and Way2Go Contractor Name Helicopters

Treatment Dates Start Completion Mt Stanley 10 Oct 2014 08 Dec 2014

Target Pest Details Target Treatment Blocks Control Method Name Pests Mt Stanley Ship rat Pesticide Aerial Pesticide - Aerial in Mt Stanley- (2) Mt Stanley Ship rat Pesticide Hand Pesticide - Hand Laying in Mt Laying Stanley-(1)

Conservation Outcome(s) To protect the health and viability of the forest ecosystem and conservation values generally within these reserves. Result Target(s) Treatment Area/Block What we got • • To reduce Tennyson Inlet Reserve - Mt 0.74% RTC possum Stanley 2014-15 populations to a residual trap catch of less than 1% (1 possum per 100

Pestlink Ref: 1314SND03 Page 2 of 13 Date Printed: 04 May 2015 trap nights) immediately following the operation or less than 2% after 3 years. Alternative monitoring methods.

• • To monitor rat Tennyson Inlet Reserve - Mt 12% Mean Tracking/line tracking rates Stanley 2014-15 throughout the year (as per monitoring plan) to measure annual rat tracking rates, including measuring rat population recovery rates after the operations.

Outcome Targets What we got • To maintain a viable population of a subspecies of native giant , Powelliphanta hochstetteri obscura, in the Mt Stanley Area.

• To achieve snail densities of > 10 per 100m2 in the long term.

• To maintain viable populations of robins and rifleman, achieving 10% increase in population over 5 years following pest control operation.

2. Introduction

2.1 TREATMENT AREA

Non-target species Common Name Scientific Name

Brown Creeper, Pipipi Mohoua novaeseelandiae South Island Rifleman, Acanthisitta chloris chloris Titipounamu

Pestlink Ref: 1314SND03 Page 3 of 13 Date Printed: 04 May 2015 Rhipidura fuliginosa South Island Fantail fuliginosa South Island Robin, Toutouwai, kakaruai, Petroica australis australis kakariwai

Tomtit Petroica macrocephala Bellbird Anthornis melanura melanura Grey Warbler, Riroriro Gerygone igata Ninox novaeseelandiae Morepork, Ruru novaeseelandiae Prosthemadera Tui novaeseelandiae novaeseelandiae

Silvereye Zosterops lateralis Yellow-breasted Tomtit, Petroica macrocephala ngirungiru, miromiro macrocephala

Bush falcon, Karearea Falco novaeseelandiae "bush" pigeon, Kereru Hemiphaga novaeseelandiae Western Gallirallus australis australis Yellow-crowned Parakeet, Cyanoramphus auriceps Kakariki Rhipidura fuliginosa South Island Fantail fuliginosa New Zealand Kingfisher Halcyon sancta

Target benefit species Common Name Scientific Name Powelliphanta hochstetteri Large land snail obscura

Threatened species Common Name Scientific Name Powelliphanta hochstetteri Large land snail obscura

Western Weka Gallirallus australis australis Yellow-crowned Parakeet, Cyanoramphus auriceps Kakariki

New Zealand pigeon, Kereru Hemiphaga novaeseelandiae Bush falcon, Karearea Falco novaeseelandiae "bush"

Geographical location The Tennyson Inlet Reserve - Mt Stanley 2014-15 is situated 18 km NE of Havelock. TREATMENT BLOCK DETAILS: Treatment block Mt Stanley Vegetation type -

Pestlink Ref: 1314SND03 Page 4 of 13 Date Printed: 04 May 2015 Bioclimatic zone coastal lowland sub-montane Climate characteristics: Rainfall 2000 mm Temperature: Average Summer -

Average Winter - Snow level - m Altitude 0-971 m The Nydia Track passes through the treatment area. This track Community and Iwi is popular with walkers and mountain bikers who will often stay interests at private accommodation at Nydia Bay or at the nearby DOC lodge. There are several archaeological sites consisting mainly of Historic sites maori storage pits in the area. This operation has had no impact on any archaeological or historic sites.

2.2 MANAGEMENT HISTORY Management history was not chosen to be shown in this operational report. This history is, however, available via Pestlink.

3 Outcomes and Targets 3.1 CONSERVATION OUTCOMES To protect the health and viability of the forest ecosystem and conservation values generally within these reserves. 3.2 TARGETS 3.2.1 Result Targets The result targets for the treatment area were: • To reduce possum populations to a residual trap catch of less than 1% (1 possum per 100 trap nights) immediately following the operation or less than 2% after 3 years.

• To monitor rat tracking rates throughout the year (as per monitoring plan) to measure annual rat tracking rates, including measuring rat population recovery rates after the operations.

3.2.2 Outcome Targets The outcome targets for the treatment area were: • To maintain a viable population of a subspecies of native giant land snail, Powelliphanta hochstetteri obscura, in the Mt Stanley Area.

Pestlink Ref: 1314SND03 Page 5 of 13 Date Printed: 04 May 2015 • To achieve snail densities of > 10 per 100m2 in the long term.

• To maintain viable populations of robins and rifleman, achieving 10% increase in population over 5 years following pest control operation.

4 Consultation, Consents & Notifications 4.1 CONSULTATION Consolation commenced in May 2014 when a letter about the operation was circulated was undertaken with Iwi, concessionaires, recreational groups, tourism operator, industry and adjoining landowners> this was followed by phone conversation, emails and visits to inform and assess issues into August 2014. Consultation outcomes Nil Lessons learned Nil 4.2 CONSENTS Consent Consent date File Reference Permission ID Resource Consent 20/07/2012 NHT-02-16-02 U120018 MoH 03/10/2014 NHT-02-16-02 14-26-ETM-NELPH Landowner - P Brownlee 03/08/2014 NHT-02-16-02 DOC 17/10/2014 NHT-02-16-02 12475523

Lessons learned Nil 4.3 NOTIFICATION Various groups and individuals were notified and kept up-to-date with the operational planning with information sent out on 18 August 2014 , with a further update on the 19 November 2014 to the following groups:

• Landowners within 5km of the treatment area • Landowners adjoining • Concessionaires • Iwi • Opposition group PPI • Tourist Operators • Recreation interests Pre operational notification was sent to schools on the 17/9/14 and 19/11/15 and Police on the 20/10/14 and the 21/11/14. Tourist Information sites, Police and other identified parties (Iwi, adjoining landowners, concessionaires, recreational groups etc) received 48 hr notification initially on the

Pestlink Ref: 1314SND03 Page 6 of 13 Date Printed: 04 May 2015 5/11/14 but advised the following day that it had to be postponed. Re-notification occurred on the 20/21 November 2014

The operation was publicly notified Marlborough Express, Nelson Mail, Saturday Express and Blenheim Sun, initially in October and again in November ( 11th.12th & 22nd) 2014. Lessons learned Nil

5 Methods 5.1 TARGET SPECIES

Treatment Block Mt Stanley Control method Name Target pest species Pesticide - Aerial Pesticide - Aerial in Mt Ship rat Stanley-(2) Pesticide - Hand Laying Pesticide - Hand Laying Ship rat in Mt Stanley-(1)

Target Treatment Control Method Name Pest Block Species Mt Stanley Pesticide - Aerial Pesticide - Aerial in Mt Stanley- Ship rat (2) Trade name of pesticide 0.15% 1080 Pellets RS5 Name of pesticide Sodium fluoroacetate Type of bait Cereal pellet Toxic loading 1.5 g/kg Bait quality sampling Not conducted Bait Details Pre-feed Toxic Bait type Cereal pellet Cereal pellet Lure/ mask/ deterrent Cinnamon Cinnamon Lure/ mask/ deterrent 0.30% 0.30% Dye None Green Individual Bait Weight 6.0g 6.0g

Sowing Rate Details Pre-feed Date Rate(kg/ha) Wind Speed Direction 10/10/2014 1.00 Light North

Pestlink Ref: 1314SND03 Page 7 of 13 Date Printed: 04 May 2015 Toxic Date Rate(kg/ha) Wind Speed Direction 23/11/2014 1.00 Light SE

Time between pre-feed and 44 toxic

End of Caution Period Date 23/05/2015 Aircraft type Hughes 500D or E Squirrel AS 350

Number of Aircraft 2 Sowing gear details Description Capacity Underslung bucket. Various sized main bait 350 kg buckets. One trickle bucket used.

Type of navigational guidance -

system used Loading Method Hand loaded from truck to buckets by contractors.

Complaints and Incidents There were no incidents or complaints on the day of the operation. The day after the operation, a neighbour to the operation reported that 2x donkeys had died in a paddock near his house. The paddock was approx 1.5km away from the treatment area boundary and it was therefore unlikely that 1080 was the cause of death in this case. To be certain that 1080 played no part in the deaths, it was agreed with the landowner that the Department would have a sample taken and tested for 1080 residue. This was done in due course and the results were negative. It turned out that the donkeys had died from bloat after eating high protein emu feed (emu shared the paddock). Other Details about this method Nil. Deviations from planned operation A barge was used based in Matai Bay for the prefeed. Due to the unavailability of the barge for the toxic, it was decided to shift the loading zone to Harvey Bay near the foreshore. This proved to be a most suitable site. Lessons Learned The use of aerial contractors from Hokitika and Rangiora respectively proved to be problematic because when the weather is fine and everything is ready to go at the treatment site, it was not always the case where the helicopters were based. Additionally, the cost of relocating the machines was excessive for the size of the operation and significantly higher than if a local contractor was used.

Target Treatment Control Method Name Pest Block Species Mt Stanley Pesticide - Hand Pesticide - Hand Laying in Mt Ship rat

Pestlink Ref: 1314SND03 Page 8 of 13 Date Printed: 04 May 2015 Laying Stanley-(1) Trade name of pesticide 0.15% 1080 Pellets RS5 Name of pesticide Sodium fluoroacetate Type of bait Cereal pellet Toxic loading 1.5 g/kg Bait quality sampling Not Conducted Bait Details Pre-feed Toxic Bait type Cereal pellet Cereal pellet Lure/ mask/ deterrent Cinnamon Cinnamon Lure/ mask/ deterrent 0.30% 0.30% Dye None Green Individual Bait Weight 6.0g 6.0g

Sowing Rate Details Pre-feed Toxic Date Rate(kg/ha) Date Rate(kg/ha) 10/10/2014 1.00 08/12/2014 1.00

Treatment details Pre-feed Toxic No. of applications 1 1 How long to apply 0.00 1.00 Average application 0 0 frequency Quantity when filled 0g 0g

Time between pre-feed and 59 toxic

Date Bait Removed - End of Caution Period Date 23/05/2015 Pattern of hand laying Contour Broadcast

Other Details about this method This method was deployed as a result of the helicopters having no access to the top of Mt Stanley during the aerial operation on 23 November 2014 due to persistent cloud that did not clear (until the helicopters had left). 23 hectares was hand baited on contours above roughly 800m to the top. Deviations from planned operation It was important to do this small portion of land due to its proximity to monitoring sites used by Science and Capability staff and with the knowledge that were tracking at the higher altitude rodent monitoring sites. Additionally, there was concern over the effects on Powelliphanta snails if the rats near the top of the mountain were not controlled. There was an aerial prefeed so therefore no specific hand fed prefeed was necessary.

Pestlink Ref: 1314SND03 Page 9 of 13 Date Printed: 04 May 2015 Lessons Learned Nil.

5.2 ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS 5.2.1 Effects on Non-Target Species No specific monitoring of non target species was undertaken. Performance standard(s) Followed ? Monitored ? The baits must be dyed green or blue. Yes Yes For operations targeting possums, baits will have a mean size in excess of 6g and 95% of baits should Yes No weigh more than 4g.

Effectiveness of performance standards Toxic baits were dyed green at ACP factory. Bait quality was not specifically monitored. Bait had minimal handling (remained on pallets) throughout their journey from ACP Wanganui to the loading site at Harvey Bay (via transit stores at Port Nelson and Tuamarina).

Bykill of non-target species DOC science staff discovered 2 tracked (dead) weka down the toilet at Matai Bay. One was sent away for pathology and the results showed a sub-lethal trace of 1080 in the birds gut. The likely cause of death appears to have been a dog or human as it had signs of injury to its neck and thighs. Apart from the expected rats, stoats and possums, no other species was reported as by-kill. 5.2.2 Effects on Soil and Water Quality Water sampling for 1080 traces was carried out at water supplies used by the Brownlee families at Penguin Bay and the Broad family at Tira Ora Bay. No 1080 was detected in any of the samples. Followed Monitored Performance standard(s) ? ? An aircraft must not, when flying to or from the treatment area, fly over a public drinking water supply or waterway that is less than 100 metres upstream of a point of extraction from a water Yes Yes source for a drinking water supply (not being a water supply exclusively for stock).

Effectiveness of performance standards Standards were met. Checks of the exclusion areas were made by staff on the day of the operation. 5.2.3 Effects on Ecosystems Effects on Ecosystems- Not Applicable. 5.2.4 Effects on Human Health Effects on Human Health - Not Applicable.

Pestlink Ref: 1314SND03 Page 10 of 13 Date Printed: 04 May 2015 6 Monitoring Results and Outcomes 6.1 RESULT MONITORING - TARGET SPECIES Result target(s) • To reduce possum populations to a residual trap catch of less than 1% (1 possum per 100 trap nights) immediately following the operation or less than 2% after 3 years. • To monitor rat tracking rates throughout the year (as per monitoring plan) to measure annual rat tracking rates, including measuring rat population recovery rates after the operations.

6.1.1 Target Species Monitoring WaxTag Method: Species monitored Possum - Trichosurus vulpecula in Tennyson Inlet Reserve - Mt Stanley 2014-15 Monitor method details At Mt Stanley, 20 lines of 20 tags (400 tags) were established within the treatment area during January 2015. The result was 0.74% RTC (3%BMI). At the Editor Hill control site (not treated) 10 lines of 20 tags (200 tags) were also established during January 2015. The result was 12.7% RTC (51.5% BMI). The lines were run over 3 fine nights.

Deviations Nil Target pest result details

Pre During/Post Monitoring dates - January 2015 Results - 0.74% RTC

Result target met? Yes Lessons Learned Need to ensure there are good systems in place to ensure result data is quickly and efficiently available. 6.1.2 Target Species Monitoring Tracking tunnels Method: Species monitored Norway rat - Rattus norvegicus , Ship rat - Rattus rattus in Tennyson Inlet Reserve - Mt Stanley 2014- 15 Monitor method details Tracking tunnels set 20m apart 10 per line; 10 lines in the Mt Stanley area; 10 lines in the Editor Hill area (outside the treatment area

Pestlink Ref: 1314SND03 Page 11 of 13 Date Printed: 04 May 2015 as a control).

Deviations Nil. Target pest result details

Pre During/Post Monitoring dates 4/11/2014 15/12/2014 Results 94% Mean Tracking/line 12% Mean Tracking/line

Result target met? Yes Lessons Learned

Nil. 6.2 RESULT MONITORING - ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS 6.2.1 Non Target Species

Monitoring of: Monitor Method details Science and Capability staff are conducting a study on the effects of 1080 on weka and small forest bird breeding success. 200 electronic sound recorders have been set up and monitored over time and analysed in the lab for bird call before and after 1080 aerial operation. This is a double blind trial over 4 separate plot both within and outside the treatment area.

Deviations Nil Monitoring dates Ongoing. Results The results are still being analysed by DOC staff. The interim results do look very encouraging with breeding success of birds like robins increasing dramatically immediately after the 1080 operation.

Lessons Learned Nil.

6.2.2 Soil and Water Quality

Monitoring of: Monitor Method details Drinking water was sampled immediately after the operation for 1080 residue, with samples being taken at the Brownlee family's water supplies at Penguin Bay and at Tony Broad's property at Tiraora Bay.

Deviations Water sampling had originally been planned for other sites in North West Bay and Fairy Bay but due to the altered treatment area boundary from that used during the 2013 operation, and after negotiation with Pelorus Protection Inc with whom we have a written agreement, it was agreed not to do any water sampling at these locations. Monitoring dates 23-24/11/14 Results 8 water samples were taken in total and analysed by Landcare Research at Lincoln. The results showed that none of the samples had any trace of

Pestlink Ref: 1314SND03 Page 12 of 13 Date Printed: 04 May 2015 1080.

Lessons Learned Nil

6.2.3 Ecosystems No monitoring of ecosystems was undertaken. 6.2.4 Human Health No monitoring of human health was undertaken.

6.3 OUTCOME MONITORING Outcome targets • To maintain a viable population of a subspecies of native giant land snail, Powelliphanta hochstetteri obscura, in the Mt Stanley Area. • To achieve snail densities of > 10 per 100m2 in the long term. • To maintain viable populations of robins and rifleman, achieving 10% increase in population over 5 years following pest control operation.

No monitoring of outcomes was undertaken.

Pestlink Ref: 1314SND03 Page 13 of 13 Date Printed: 04 May 2015