Proceedings of the Third International Conference on Invasive ...

Chapter 4: Spartina Control and Management<strong>Proceedings</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>Third</strong> <strong>International</strong> <strong>Conference</strong> on Invasive Spartinaestuary. Management options and objectives for <strong>the</strong>Rubicon/Port Sorell and Tamar River may be revised ifsignificant developments in large-scale control techniquesare forthcoming.CONCLUSIONSBetween 1998 and 2002 Tasmania’s rice grassManagement Strategy used <strong>the</strong> experiences <strong>of</strong> rice grassmanagement programs in o<strong>the</strong>r regions, particularly those inVictoria, Australia, and Washington State, USA, to identifypriority program risks and to develop its approach to <strong>the</strong>reduction <strong>of</strong> infestations. The management program placed ahigh degree <strong>of</strong> importance on stakeholder participation andengagement at all stages <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> management program.Targeted research and environmental monitoring programshave also been strategically used in developing andprogressively scaling up <strong>the</strong> management program fromsmall-scale to medium-scale control efforts.The Management Strategy and area-based ManagementPlans set specific objectives for each <strong>of</strong> Tasmania’s infestedregions. In light <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> progress made toward <strong>the</strong>seobjectives <strong>the</strong> implementation <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Management Strategybetween 1998 and 2002 was successful. This achievementwas acknowledged in 2001 when <strong>the</strong> Rice Grass AdvisoryGroup was awarded <strong>the</strong> Australian Water AssociationEnvironment Award for its contribution to <strong>the</strong> restoration <strong>of</strong>aquatic habitat. Factors that significantly contributed toprogram success include:• Development <strong>of</strong> a management strategy with clearobjectives and direction for management;• Establishment <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Rice Grass Advisory Groupinvolving key stakeholder interests and <strong>the</strong> appointment<strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> DPIWE as lead management agency;• Effective engagement <strong>of</strong> relevant regional and industrystakeholders at all stages <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> management process;• Development <strong>of</strong> a management program that integratestargeted research and adequate environmentalmonitoring; and• A method <strong>of</strong> rice grass control that can be demonstratedto be environmentally responsible, safe, practicable andcost-effective.It is worth pointing out, however, that <strong>the</strong> battle against <strong>the</strong>spread <strong>of</strong> rice grass in Tasmania is far from over. There aresome important challenges still to be faced including:• A clear understanding <strong>of</strong> what is required to achieveeradication as opposed to just controlling rice grass, andensuring that those more stringent requirements are met(e.g. local communities and industries will play animportant role in eradication and <strong>the</strong>ir continued supportand commitment is vital);• Maintaining effective, practicable and cost-effectivearrangements to contain large infestations in <strong>the</strong> longterm;• Procurement <strong>of</strong> sufficient ongoing funding to meet <strong>the</strong>expense <strong>of</strong> reducing rice grass infestations, particularlyin <strong>the</strong> Circular Head region.Table 3: Summary <strong>of</strong> all infestations in Tasmania, including size andcurrent management objectives in 2003 relative to 1997.InfestationDerwentRiver*LittleSwanport*ManagementObjectiveInfestationarea 1997(ha)Infestationarea2002 (ha)eradicate 1 0.0001eradicate 10 0.0003St Helens* eradicate 1 0.0001Bridport* eradicate 5 0.0002Tamar RiverRubicon/Port SorellCircularHeadcontain toestuarycontain to upperhalf <strong>of</strong> estuary415 415109 141eradicate 50 25* Priority infestations treated in 1999, 2000 and 2002ACKNOWLEDGEMENTSThe authors would like to acknowledge <strong>the</strong> NaturalHeritage Trust Fisheries Action Program, <strong>the</strong> Department <strong>of</strong>Primary Industries, Water and Environment, TasmanianFishing Industry Council and participating oyster growersfor contributing <strong>the</strong> resources for developing andimplementing <strong>the</strong> Management Strategy. We would also liketo thank numerous o<strong>the</strong>r people who provided advice anddirection on control techniques, monitoring programs andcollaboration with regional communities. I would personallylike to thank all <strong>the</strong> field crew, including <strong>the</strong> oyster growerswho lived “in sync” with <strong>the</strong> tidal cycle to make it happenon <strong>the</strong> ground.REFERENCES:Davies, P.E. 1999. Use <strong>of</strong> Fusilade® to Control Rice Grass:Assessment <strong>of</strong> environmental risks. Unpublished report preparedfor <strong>the</strong> Department <strong>of</strong> Primary Industries, Water andEnvironment, Tasmania, Australia.DPIWE 2002. Strategy for <strong>the</strong> Management <strong>of</strong> Rice Grass(Spartina anglica) in Tasmania, Australia. Department <strong>of</strong>Primary Industries, Water and Environment, Tasmania,Australia.Hedge, P.T., Summers, D., Dittmann and Davies, P. 1999.Toxicological Effects <strong>of</strong> Fusilade® on Pacific Oysters,Crassostrea gigas. Unpublished technical report for <strong>the</strong>Department <strong>of</strong> Primary Industries, Water and Environment,Tasmania, Australia.Hedge, P.T. and Kriwoken, L.K. 2000. Evidence for effects <strong>of</strong>Spartina anglica invasion on benthic macr<strong>of</strong>auna in LittleSwanport estuary, Tasmania. Austral Ecology 25:150-159.Hedge, P.T., Kriwoken, L.K. and Patten. K. 2003. A Review <strong>of</strong>Spartina Management in Washington State, US. Journal <strong>of</strong>Aquatic Plant Management 41:82-89Kriwoken and Hedge 2000. Exotic species and estuaries: managingSpartina anglica in Tasmania, Australia. Ocean and CoastalManagement 43:573-584.- 246 -