‘N.Z. must preserve islands’ ecology’

Press, 8 February 1986, Page 30

‘N.Z. must preserve islands’ ecology’

By

OLIVER RIDDELL

in Wellington

New Zealand must do more to ensure the ecological integrity of its subAntarctic islands is not compromised, said National’s spokesman on the environment, Mr Simon Upton. He has just returned from an “invaluable” visit to the sub-Antarctic islands.

The islands were widely known to be important in botanical and wildlife terms, but were almost impossible to appreciate second-hand, he said. , v • ■ The islands’ remoteness was a two-edged' sword,. Mr Upton said. On one hand, their isolation gave

them a distinct flora and fauna while development passed them by; but on the other, their remoteness made them vulnerable to exploiters. Poaching of rare animals or damage to rare plants could go undetected for long periods. Some regular transport to the islands was essential. Departmental officers and scientists had to “hitch-hike” their way south, and only Campbell Island had a permenently mannedmeteorological station, he said: Since the islands were agreed to be internationally significant, New Zealand had a responsibility to preserve their natural

qualities. That meant, inevitably, some form of regular surveillance, which was simply impossible at present. Mr Upton said the limitation of sheep numbers on Campbell Island, and their confinement to the south-west corner of the island, had already visibly improved the plant cover. That contrasted with the defoliated state of parts of the Auckland Islands he had visited. There was an urgent need for pig, goat,. and rabbit populations to be 1 eliminated 1 on ; the ’ Auck-; lands, and he would 7 pur--’ sue that issue. ' J . £