Program could be Establish as a solution for Environment and Biosecurity issues

A five year program to manage, improve and control the growing concern for invasive species of ants could soon be underway.
Monica Gruber
Monica Gruber

 
Ms. Monica Gruber a specialist scientist from the University of Victoria in Wellington is working together with the Economic Development, Natural Resource and Environment department of Tokelau to find a solution towards the environmental problem of crazy ants on Atafu and also how it could improve Biosecurity on its shores.
 
The environment problem which affected two of the nations’ islands has arisen again in Atafu causing great discomfort to people’s livelihood, affecting food sources and bringing harm to the animals.
 
“There was a problem with the crazy ants on Nukunonu and Fakaofo about ten years ago but now it’s on Atafu and has been causing problems for about five years”, said Monica
 
“I’ve been to Atafu about two years ago about the problem of crazy ants but we didn’t have funding, but now we finally have the opportunity to get some funding - now we are doing something about it”.
 
“It’s an environmental problem which will kill crabs, chicks and disturb adult sea bird. It sprays acid! The problem with this ant is - it’s everywhere”.
 
“So people find it difficult to be outside. People can’t sleep outside, it’s getting into the food especially sweet thing in particular - basically disturbing people’s livelihood”.
 
“I received a report last year of the ants killing coconut crab which is an important food source”.
 
“You can’t eradicate ants once they are well established. We need to keep monitoring to keep an eye on the number so we can control it with pesticide”
 
“But that’s just one issue. The bigger issue is with biosecurity for a fire ant which is in Hawaii and also in the French Polynesia and Vanuatu. It can sting people which can cause infection and can make animals to go blind”.
 
“So while we have problem with the crazy ant, the bigger problem is the fire ant and that’s why we need to increase biosecurity – it’s important for these ants”.
 
“The focus on the program is to manage and control the issues of ants on island and also look into how it can protect its shore from other invasive species from reaching it”.
 
“We hope this will provide a resource for the wider pacific in the long term for biosecurity and management of invasive ants”.
 
Program details:
 
The first part of the project will be to deal with the crazy ant in the next year or two.
 
But overall, it’s a five year project to improve biosecurity and train the people of Tokelau of how to deal with the issues rather then getting assistance from outside all the time.
 
Partners involve which will be providing long term support are Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme, Secretariat of the Pacific Community and Pacific Invasive Initiative.
 
Funds for the program is yet to be confirm by NZAID and Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade. Tokelau and Kiribati will be two countries under the program