Montague Island Seabird Habitat Restoration Project
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Montague Island Seabird Habitat Restoration Project Proceedings of Shared Island Management Workshop Narooma, NSW, November 2008 Department of Environment, Climate Change and Water NSW Cover photos clockwise from left: www.geoffcomfort.com; S. Cohen, DECCW; S. Donaldson; DECCW. Inset bird: DECCW Published by: Department of Environment and Climate Change NSW 59–61 Goulburn Street, Sydney PO Box A290, Sydney South 1232 Phone: (02) 9995 5000 (switchboard) Phone: 131 555 (environment information and publications requests) Phone: 1300 361 967 (national parks information and publications requests) Fax: (02) 9995 5999 TTY: (02) 9211 4723 Email: [email protected] Website: www.environment.nsw.gov.au ISBN 978 1 74232 337 4 DECCW 2009/443 November 2009 Printed on environmentally sustainable stock B Contents Preface ..........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................1 1. Introduction ........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................3 1.1 Overview of the Seabird Habitat Restoration Project ..............................................................................................3 1.2 Montague Island description ..................................................................................................................................................................................................................................3 1.3 Kikuyu grass on Montague Island .........................................................................................................................................................................................................4 1.4 Project implementation ...............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................5 1.5 Results ...............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................5 1.6 Benefits ..........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................6 2. Presentations .................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................7 2.1 Aboriginal cultural significance of Baranguba (Montague Island)........................7 2.2 Montague Island seabird research history ..........................................................................................................................................................7 2.3 Seabird Habitat Restoration Project – scientific research results ................................8 2.4 Seabird Habitat Restoration Project – management issues ........................................................10 2.5 Ecotourism integration ...............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................13 2.6 Mice eradication ....................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................14 2.7 NSW Environmental Trust funding opportunities .............................................................................................................15 3. Workshop discussion ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................16 3.1 Logistical issues and considerations ......................................................................................................................................................................................16 3.2 Vegetation/fauna issues and considerations ........................................................................................................................................17 3.3 Scientific issues and considerations ........................................................................................................................................................................................17 3.4 Use of fire on offshore islands ..........................................................................................................................................................................................................................17 3.5 Weed and pest control on other offshore islands in Australia ............................................18 4. References and online links...................................................................................................................................................................................................................................22 Seabird Habitat Restoration Project Preface This report presents the proceedings of a shared island management workshop held on 17 and 18 November 2008 at Narooma on the far south coast of NSW. The workshop communicated the principles and results of the Montague Island Seabird Habitat Restoration Project to island and coastal managers and researchers. This successful weed control and habitat restoration project has been conducted on Montague Island since 2001, and is now managed by the Department of Environment, Climate Change and Water (DECCW). The workshop featured presentations from managers, researchers and staff involved in the project. Key content included explaining the scientific background, research results which formed the basis of the project, and the management and logistical considerations of conducting an ambitious restoration project on a remote offshore island. In addition, the workshop aimed to facilitate a shared learning experience for all participants by promoting general discussion and inquiry into the project throughout the two days. Preston Cope Area Manager, Far South Coast Region Department of Environment, Climate Change and Water www.geoffcomfort.com Montague Island Seabird Habitat Restoration Project 1 Presenters John Mumbler, Local Yuin Elder, Bodalla Dr Peter Fullagar, Retired CSIRO Fellow, Canberra Dr Amy Harris, DECCW National Parks and Wildlife Service S. Donaldson/DECCW Project Officer, Far South Coast Region; previously PhD student, Charles Sturt University, School of Environmental Sciences Ross Constable, DECCW National Parks and Wildlife Service Ranger (Montague Island), Far South Coast Region Mark Westwood, DECCW National Parks and Wildlife Service Discovery Coordinator (Montague Island Tours), Far South Coast Region Nicholas Carlile, DECCW, National Parks and Wildlife Service Seabird Project Officer, Head Office Leah Andrews, Environmental Trust Program, Senior Project Mike Williams, Facilitator with Preston Cope Area Manager. Officer, DECCW Parramatta Office Attendees Joanne Edney, DECCW National Parks and Wildlife Service Area Manager, Illawarra Robert Evitt, DECCW National Parks and Wildlife Service S. Donaldson/DECCW Aboriginal Cadet Ranger, Illawarra Tony Carter, National Parks and Wildlife Service, Booderee National Park, Jervis Bay Louise Oliver, National Parks and Wildlife Service: Booderee National Park, Jervis Bay Jon Fallaw, Nature Parks Australia, Phillip Island Nature Park, Cowes, Victoria Dane Wimbush, Retired CSIRO Fellow, Narooma Workshop attendees Dr Alec Costin, Retired CSIRO Fellow, Bodalla Michael Jarman, DECCW National Parks and Wildlife Service Project Officer, Ulladulla Susanne Callaghan, DECCW National Parks and Wildlife Service Ranger, Port Stephens Ruth Armstrong, DECCW National Parks and Wildlife Service Pest Management Officer, Hunter Region Laurence Penman, DECCW National Parks and Wildlife Service Ranger, Nelson Bay Martin Mason, Ranger, Wagonga Local Aboriginal Land Council, Narooma Natasha Stewart, Tourism Officer, Wagonga Local Aboriginal Land Council, Narooma Preston Cope, DECCW National Parks and Wildlife Service Area Manager, Central Area, Far South Coast Region Assisting the