COOK ISLANDS INVASIVE SPECIES EARLY DETECTION & RAPID RESPONSE PLAN Feb 2018 1 Contents Acknowledgements ................................................................................................................................. 4 List of Acronyms ...................................................................................................................................... 4 Managing Early Detection and Rapid Response ..................................................................................... 5 Section 1: Introduction ........................................................................................................................... 8 1.1 Scope ....................................................................................................................................... 8 1.2 Plans for different invasive species ......................................................................................... 9 1.3 Linkages to other plans ......................................................................................................... 11 1.4 Plan structure ........................................................................................................................ 13 Section 2: Early Detection. ................................................................................................................... 13 2.1 Introduction .......................................................................................................................... 13 2.2 Species of highest risk to Cook Islands ................................................................................. 14 2.3 Active Detection - proposed surveillance programmes ....................................................... 16 2.3.1 Fruit flies .............................................................................................................................. 16 2.3.2 Invasive ants ......................................................................................................................... 16 2.3.3 Mosquitoes that are vectors of human disease .................................................................. 16 2.3.4 Marine invasive species at international ports .................................................................... 17 2.3.5 Site-specific surveillance – Suwarrow National Park ........................................................... 17 2.4 Passive detection - proposed public awareness programmes ............................................. 17 2.4.1 Identification of high-risk pathways .................................................................................... 17 2.4.2 Awareness material for high-risk pathways ......................................................................... 19 2.4.3 Education ............................................................................................................................. 20 2.4.4 Reporting systems – ‘Pest Alert’ ......................................................................................... 20 2.5 Completion of Early Detection .............................................................................................. 21 Section 3: Rapid Response .................................................................................................................... 22 1. INVESTIGATION PHASE ................................................................................................................. 23 1.1 Responding to report and identification ..................................................................................... 23 1.2 Verification of identification ....................................................................................................... 27 1.3 Informing others ......................................................................................................................... 28 1.4 Special cases when identification begins the response .............................................................. 28 2. ALERT PHASE ................................................................................................................................. 29 2.1 Review – pest assessment .......................................................................................................... 29 2.2 Rapid Assessment of infestation ................................................................................................. 30 2 2.3 Contain ........................................................................................................................................ 31 2.4 Notify........................................................................................................................................... 31 2.4.1 Emergency Management Cook Islands (EMCI) .................................................................... 31 2.4.2 Local constituencies ............................................................................................................. 32 2.4.3 CROP Agencies ..................................................................................................................... 32 2.4.4 NGO’s ................................................................................................................................... 32 2.4.5 Trading partners (if required) .............................................................................................. 32 2.5 Assess feasibility of eradication .................................................................................................. 32 3. OPERATIONAL RESPONSE PHASE .................................................................................................. 33 3.1 Develop Response Plan ............................................................................................................... 33 3.1.1 Establish technical methodology ......................................................................................... 34 3.1.2 Establish staffing and management structure ..................................................................... 34 3.1.3 Review the legislative basis for the operation. .................................................................... 37 3.1.4 Establish communication strategy ....................................................................................... 37 3.1.5 Review and sign-off plan ...................................................................................................... 37 3.2 Implement Response ........................................................................................................... 37 3.2.1 Obtain the necessary resources and establish the necessary administration ..................... 37 3.2.2 Secure regional assistance with technical expertise and funding ....................................... 37 4. STAND-DOWN PHASE ................................................................................................................... 38 5. RECOVERY PHASE .......................................................................................................................... 39 References ............................................................................................................................................ 40 Annex 1: Priority invasive plant species for exclusion from Cook Islands ........................................ 41 Annex 2: Information sources for local identification ...................................................................... 42 Key Websites ................................................................................................................................. 42 Annex 3: Local Contacts for Pest & Disease Identification ............................................................... 43 Annex 4: International Contacts for Pest Identification ................................................................... 44 Annex 5: OIE-listed diseases ............................................................................................................. 45 Annex 6: Disinfection protocol for plant diseases ............................................................................ 46 Annex 7: Incursion Response Simulation Exercise 2016 .................................................................. 47 Annex 8: Fruitfly Emergency Response Plan ..................................................................................... 55 3 Acknowledgements Akameitaki’anga i te katoatoa tei piri mai e tei oronga mai, i to ratou au manako no te tata’anga i teia parani. Teia parani, e au ravenga teia no te parūrū i te Kuki Airani mei tetai uatu tu katiri kikino te ka riro, ei tāmanamanatā i to tatou Ao Ora Natura, ta tatou ravenga kimi moni e to tatou ora’anga tangata. This plan was developed by the National Environment Service (NES) in partnership with the Biosecurity Service and the Ministry of Agriculture, in liaison with the Ministry of Health – Community Health Services, Ministry of Marine Resources and Ports Authority. This work was compiled by international consultant Dr D.J. Butler, R&D Environmental Ltd, NZ. The NES is grateful for the involvement of all those who have assisted with this plan with particular appreciation of the efforts of the Biosecurity team during the successful Incursion Response Simulation Exercise carried out as part of the project. Funding was provided within the GEF-PAS project: “Prevention, control and management of invasive alien species in the Pacific Islands” delivered by National Environment Service coordinated by the