implementation of the aquatic Weeds of national ... - Weeds Australia

Alligator Weed
Cabomba
Salvinia
There is now also an impressive range of publicly available information 8 .
Significant among these are the best practice manuals for control of
alligator weed 9 and salvinia 10 . A similar manual for cabomba is due for
publication in 2009.
The Management Group developed a media and communications strategy
to ensure that information about aquatic WoNS was consistently delivered
to the public. From 2003 to 2008, the Coordinator and other stakeholders
developed a range of publications and conducted workshops, field days
and seminars to increase stakeholder knowledge about aquatic weeds
and their control. Appendix 2 lists a sample of such extension material and
activities.
The accumulation of knowledge motivated by the aquatic WoNS strategies
established the platform for focused action and greater capacity for
obtaining resources for management and research. Although each of the
strategies addressed a range of common issues, they also had separate
foci:
• In the case of alligator weed, an important concept was the
identification of core and non-core (outlier) areas: management
of core areas emphasised control for prevention of spread and
management of non-core areas emphasised control for eradication
Achievements:
Maps of infestations and at-risk
regions
Readily available information
on aquatic WoNS, including
control manuals
Training forums on
identification and control
Coordinated research activities
Identification of key issues
Better resourcing for
management and research
Increased set of informed and
engaged stakeholders
Experienced Management
group
• In the case of cabomba, the fact that there were neither effective herbicides nor biological controls
encouraged intensive research into finding better management options
• In the case of salvinia, the fact of the existence of an effective biological agent motivated a strategy
for increasing the distribution of biological control agents to improve control
Underpinning the WoNS strategies was a brief to ensure that coordination activities enhanced the
capacity of those already involved in the management and control of aquatic WoNS while at the same
time encouraging a broader range of stakeholders to become involved. This brief is being partly fulfilled
through the representation of key stakeholder groups on the Management Committee: see Note 1. In
addition, an ever-increasing range of stakeholders are consulted, supported and trained.
8 A number of these are included in the bibliography of this report and Appendix 6 lists papers written on aquatic weeds topics.
9 van Oosterhout, 2007
10 van Oosterhout, 2006
Implementation of the Aquatic Weeds of National Significance Strategic Plans
Progress Report 2003-2008
8