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Nerrandera fisheries centre, NSw dept. Primary industries

The Narrandera Fisheries Centre, including the John Lake Centre, is a major NSW Fisheries facility located just minutes out of town towards Wagga Wagga. Important research is conducted there into fish species of the Murray/Murrumbidgee/Darling River systems. The centre is also a major breeding facility for native fish, including endangered species, for release throughout NSW.

Website: http://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/research/centres/narrandera-fisheries-centre

Identification of ‘hot-spots’ of carp reproduction in the Murray-Darling Basin
Carp are the most significant pest of freshwater river systems, impacting on native fish communities, recreational fisheries and riverine environments. Carp dominate many river systems, comprising an average of around 80% of the fish biomass in many area. Current NSW DPI research has identified that carp do not reproduce throughout entire river systems, and that a vast majority of recruitment occurs at a relatively small number of locations. The identification of these ‘hot-spots’ provides some important opportunities for carp control. NSW DPI in cooperation with QDPI, SARDI and PIRVic will undertake larval carp sampling across the entire Murray-Darling Basin in order to identify the most important ‘hotspots’ of carp reproduction. These locations can then be targeted using a range of control options as identified under a detailed IPM (Integrated Pest Management) strategy developed by the Invasive Animals CRC. The objectives of the project are:

• Provide complete spatial coverage for identification of carp spawning hotspots within the Murray-Darling Basin.
• Provide data on temporal variability in carp spawning success at hotspots.
• Assess the relationship between spawning hotspots and recruitment hotspots and validating larval sampling as a methods of detecting recruitment hotspots.

dean.gilligan@dpi.nsw.gov.au

Demonstration site: Targeted carp control at a ‘hot-spot’ of carp reproduction, the Barmah-Millewa Forest
The Barmah-Millewa Forest covers an area of approximately 70,000 ha on the Murray River floodplain upstream of Moama-Echuca. The forest is recognised for its ecological values, being the largest stand of river red gum. The forest contains a variety of different aquatic habitats, including marshes and swamplands which are important for carp recruitment. Carp make up a large proportion of the fish biomass in the forest and comprise ~85% of the abundance of large fish species. The Barmah-Millewa Forest has been identified as the source for most of the carp recruitment within the Murray Riverina. This project, which begins in July 2006 will establish the Barmah-Millewa forest as a demonstration site for carp control. The carp population of the forest and adjacent Murray River will be benchmarked to establish the size, population structure, movement and breeding patterns over the first two years of the project. Subsequently, currently available control methods, including fishway traps, commercial harvest and water level manipulation in wetlands can be used to test the efficiency of these carp control strategies. Subsequent additional control strategies can be rolled-out at the demonstration site as they are developed by the CRCs Freshwater Products and Strategies program. This demonstration site is innovative because it will be the first of its kind within the Murray-Darling Basin and the first site anywhere where a number of different control techniques for a pest fish will be implemented and evaluated. It will demonstrate to all concerned that carp control is an achievable outcome.
dean.gilligan@dpi.nsw.gov.au

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VERTEBRATE PEST RESEARCH UNIT (VPRU), NSW Dept. primary industries

The VPRU conducts research and develops programs to reduce the impact of vertebrate pests such as rabbits, foxes, feral goats and wild pigs on agricultural production.

Contact Information:	Telephone	(02) 6391 3800
	FAX	(02) 6391 3972
	Postal address	Orange Agricultural Institute Forest Road, Orange NSW 2800, Australia
	E-mail	General Information: Chris Lane (Chris.Lane@dpi.nsw.gov.au)
	Website	http://www.agric.nsw.gov.au/reader/orange/oai-vpu.htm

Improving the Management of Australia’s Bird Pests
Funding Source, Collaborators: Invasive Animal CRC, Bureau of Rural Sciences, Pestat Ltd.
Principal Investigator(s): John Tracey (NSWDPI, IACRC) john.tracey@dpi.nsw.gov.au
Duration: 2006 - 2008.
Synopsis: This project will address key research priorities for pest birds identified in collaboration with the Australasian Pest Bird Network. Projective objectives will include:

• Develop simple and efficient techniques for estimating damage levels and the costs of damage to grain, grain legumes, and oilseed crops
• Produce national guidelines for pest birds in grain (wheat, barley, oats, sorghum, triticale, cereal rye, maize, millet), grain legumes (lupins, lentils, peanuts, peas, beans), and oilseed crops (sunflower, safflower, canola, linseed, soy bean) in Australia.
• Investigate the delivery and specificity of recent advancements in GnRH fertility control products for applicability to introduced pest birds in Australia
• Identify the potential role of wild birds in existing risk assessments of avian influenza and other viruses

The National Invasive Animal's Assessment
The Invasive Animals CRC is collaborating with the National Land and Water Resources Audit (NLWRA) and lead agencies from each State / Territory to deliver improved information on the distribution, density, and possible threats caused by invasive pest animals on Australia's productivity and environment. Working closely with the Vertebrate Pest Committee, the program will identify priorities for invasive pest animal management in all States / Territories of Australia. It is intended that all States and Territories collate current information on invasive pest animals to report against indicators developed under the National Monitoring and Evaluation Framework (NM&EF). This will for the first time provide a national perspective on the existing and emerging threats posed by invasive animals. The national mapping information will also provide a benchmark for on-going performance monitoring and operational evaluation.
peter.west@dpi.nsw.gov.au
The collaboration will involve:

• The development and agreement on national indicators for invasive animals;
• An assessment of the current distribution and density of existing and emerging invasive animals throughout Australia;
• The development consistent methods and procedures for reporting invasive animal information throughout Australia;
• The delivery of State and National maps of invasive animals for national coordination programs; and
  Reporting of national information through an invasive animal's information system.

NE NSW Demonstration Site: Strategic Approach to Wild Dog Management
This project will involve a number of localities and wild dog control associations within the Northern Tablelands and adjacent North Coast where wild dog control has been conducted over the past 150 years. Project objectives will be to:

• demonstrate the strategic approach to wild dogs management at the local level including the nil-tenure strategy.
• integrate research with management at the local level and demonstrate this approach.
• integrate training programs within research and management sites.
• facilitate the uptake of strategy advances and Invasive Animals CRC products by stakeholders.

An important outcome from this site will be a community dialogue and engagement in management and research. Each locality will see the implementation of the strategic nil-tenure approach to wild dog management. Local and regional plans of action for wild dog management will be written for wild dog control associations which will be aided by the establishment of a centralised data collection and mapping facility to monitor dog attacks and control efforts.
peter.fleming@dpi.nsw.gov.au

Can commercial use of wildlife contribute to the sustainable use of Australian rangelands?
The idea that income obtained from harvesting or commercial use of pest animals can offset some management costs and achieve more cost-effective reduction in pest animal impact has not yet been tested. In the past, there has been considerable harvesting of rabbits and foxes in Australia. More recently these wild harvests have declined due to the impact of pest control activities and competition from the farmed fur industry. Currently, the greatest potential for commercial use of introduced pest animals contributing to pest management is the harvesting of kangaroos, feral goats and feral pigs. The main issue in considering the use of pest animals is whether commercial harvesting will reduce numbers to a level at which pest impact is acceptable. Key objectives of this project include:

• Determine the circumstances under which commercial harvesting (kangaroos, goats or pigs) contributes to the management of pests.
• Determine the extent to which commercial harvesting contributes to primary production goals (sheep and cattle profitability and sustainable grazing practices) and conservation goals (maintenance of biodiversity).
• Use bioeconomic analyses to define optimal sustainable grazing of rangelands under the following scenarios:
  • Domestic stock only
  • Commercial use of kangaroos, feral goats and feral pigs only
  • Combination of domestic stock and wildlife
• Determine the influence markets have on the profitability and sustainability of commercial harvesting of kangaroos, feral goats and feral pigs

steve.mcleod@dpi.nsw.gov.au

The feasibility of targeting surveillance for avian influenza in wild birds: interactions between Anseriformes, Charadriiformes and free-range poultry farms
The purpose of this project is to investigate the feasibility of using a geographic information system to target surveillance for detecting avian influenza in wild birds. A pilot study is proposed, which will identify the key risk areas for the potential transmission of avian influenza between wild birds and domestic poultry, and commence field sampling in targeted locations of New South Wales. Funding: Wildlife Exotic Disease Preparedness Program. Duration: 2004-2005
john.tracey@dpi.nsw.gov.au

Modelling sterility agents for rabbits and foxes
To develop models that assess the merits of using fertility control (i.e. immunocontraception) as a viable control option for reducing the impact of European rabbits and foxes on agricultural production and the environment in Australia. Funding: Australian Wool Innovation. Duration: 2004-2005
steve.mcleod@dpi.nsw.gov.au

Pressure fumigation of rabbit warrens using carbon monoxide
Warren fumigation is an important rabbit control tool, particularly in areas where warren ripping is not feasible. The current pressure fumigant, chloropicrin (“tear gas”) is not considered humane or safe. This project will investigate the use of carbon monoxide for fumigation which is more humane and safer for operators. 2005.
glen.saunders@dpi.nsw.gov.au

Development and refinement of feral pig control strategies
Improved management of feral pigs in Australia has become a high-profile issue for agricultural industries and environmental management in recent years. This project will look at monitoring and control options to maximise feral pig damage reduction with a given level of resources. 2005-07
glen.saunders@dpi.nsw.gov.au

Assessing the risks of wild deer in Australia: a review of impacts, survey and control methods
There are several deer species established in Australia and their density and range is increasing. They are inevitably causing environmental and agricultural damage including the risk of spreading livestock diseases. This project will assess techniques for monitoring and controlling deer and recommend those that are appropriate in Australia. 2005
steve.mcleod@dpi.nsw.gov.au

Risk analysis of feral and wild animals as a component of exotic and emergency disease preparedness planning
Produce a risk analysis of the introduction, establishment, spread and containment of exotic animal diseases in feral and wild animals, in particular feral pigs. One of the most important factors affecting the size and economic impact of an exotic disease outbreak is the quality of the decision-making. Risk analysis is an important tool to help decision-makers take the most appropriate course of action with respect to emergency management. 2002-2004.
steve.mcleod@dpi.nsw.gov.au

Efficacy of existing techniques to manage pest birds in agriculture
Funding Source, Collaborators: Bureau of Rural Sciences, Invasive Animal CRC
Principal Investigator(s): John Tracey (NSWDPI, IACRC) john.tracey@dpi.nsw.gov.au
Duration: 2006 - 2008.
Synopsis: Evaluate the efficacy of lethal methods and a non-lethal method to reduce pest bird abundance and damage.

Towards national best practice strategies for bird pests of horticulture
The objectives of this project are:       
To build on outcomes of the previous NHT funded project by establishing a National approach to the quantification and management of bird pest problems in horticulture.
Based on project outcomes, develop optimal bird management strategies (best practice) for horticulture, with the aid of bio-economic analysis.
Through participatory learning and education, ensure awareness and adoption of strategies by relevant organisations and land managers. 2003-2006
john.tracey@dpi.nsw.gov.au

Effective implementation of regional fox control programs
The objectives of this project are: 

• Monitor the effectiveness of the ‘Outfox the Fox’ baiting program using combinations of landholder perceptions and detailed measurements of production values and fox populations.
• Determine the appropriate levels of fox control (baiting strategy) which will achieve production benefits which can in turn be used to derive control effort/damage relationships. If sufficiently robust, employ bio-economic methods to then establish cost effective management practices.
• Conduct field evaluations of shooting as a means of reducing agricultural impact and compare with 1080 baiting for cost/benefit purposes.
• Based on outcomes, further refine best practice fox management strategies on agricultural lands.
• Through participatory learning and education, ensure adoption of modified strategies by relevant organisations and land managers.

glen.saunders@dpi.nsw.gov.au
2003-2006

A project that develops an agreed code of practice and standard operating procedures for the humane capture, handling or destruction of feral animals in Australia
Project completed.
See: http://www.deh.gov.au/biodiversity/invasive/publications/humane-control/index.html