The “anti-1080” images illustrate the strong extreme views out there… strangely we couldn’t find any pro-1080 banners to balance public attitudes…
With all the panic about 1080 following a big drop on the weekend, after agreeing with Didymo Dave’s comments for more discussion, I grabbed the chance for a brief ‘interview’ with a TRM guest, Russell Norman, who some of you may know…
As he would have studied far more about the potential perils of 1080 than anyone else I know (?) I bailed him up briefly to interrogate him, just as he was leaving, to get his views?.
He agreed that 1080 was still the only choice in the remote back-of-beyond regions but around the rivers and lakes where there was easy access he preferred other methods – like Didymo Dave uses – in closer areas such as around Lake Rotopounamu and up the Hinemaiaia River, etc..
So you are right on the money again on this thanks Dave.
(Dave’s comments from his facebook below)
1080 posts……..We have a pro 1080 group n an anti 1080 group. To achieve a WIN/WIN outcome for both groups each group needs to consider the other groups position. Throwing science n abuse is like 2 kids arguing over who ate the last of the ice cream. It achieves nothing! So are you prepared to STOP, have a think about how you can help the other side n in the process achieve what you want? Also are you prepared to back it up with WORK, some of which may be voluntary??? If so let’s keep trying to find an outcome agreeable to both sides. If you are not, please don’t post 1080 posts on my site. Thanks.
Meanwhile Nelson Trout Fishing Club are warning anglers:
Nelson Trout Fishing Club facebook added 2 new photos.
Fish and Game need your help!
If you are fishing in any of the Kahurangi fisheries within a few days of a 1080 toxin drop, please record any 1080 pellets observed within the water, and also any dead fish – either collect them or record a specific reference so Fish and Game can go in and grab them with wetsuits – Fish and Game will then autopsy/ test the fish.
DOC do appear to be trying – see yesterday’s post:
More kea poisoned in 1080 drop
The Department of Conservation says five out of 39 monitored kea have died of poisoning during the first field study using a bird repellent in an aerial 1080 operation near Otira.
DOC has been trialling repellents after a number of kea deaths from 1080 poisoning. In 2008 seven died in the Franz Josef and Fox Glacier area, and in 2011 seven more died at Okarito.
DOC said today results from the recent Otira trial were “disappointing”.
Technical adviser threats Michelle Crowell said losing five birds was “naturally disappointing”.
“But overall the benefits to kea populations from pest control continue to outweigh the loss of individual birds to 1080.”
The repellent used, d-pulegone, had shown promise in previous trials but was not effective enough to prevent kea deaths in this field operation, she said.
Once all the data had been fully analysed DOC would review its options, which included increasing the repellent concentration and investigating other repellents. Analysis of the baits had subsequently shown that the repellent was less than the target concentration.
Ms Crowell said further work was needed to account for dissipation during bait storage.
The repellent was used over 10,619ha around Otira as well as in a nearby Tb Free New Zealand operation over 10,130ha in the Taipo Valley undertaken, from June 26 to August 1.
Kea are particularly inquisitive and DOC has been researching ways to minimise the loss of individual kea in 1080 operations.
DOC has been working with the Kea Conservation Trust, Tb Free NZ and Landcare Research over a number of years to develop a repellent to prevent kea deaths during aerial 1080 operations. This has included research trials in pens, aviaries and field sites to test whether the repellents work, are safe and do not affect possum and rat control. The current research is funded by DOC, Tb Free and the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment.
A new baiting protocol was introduced in 2010 to reduce the risk to kea, which included using less palatable baits and avoiding open areas above the bush line.
DOC has been investigating two bird repellents, including d-pulegone, a food additive based on the peppermint flavour found in some plants in the mint family.
Since 2008, 155 kea have been monitored through ten 1080 operations, with 20 (12.9%) recorded fatalities, DOC says.
But then there is the other evidence…
So we don’t know what the answer is? Perhaps Shirley has it sussed – see following:
Shirley Fraser shared a link.
Repeat of TRM Daily Report for
Thank you to NZFFA and Fish & Game for following:
1080 – What you need to know.
What is 1080?
Sodium monofluoroacetate or fluoroacetate, which commonly known in pesticide form as 1080. This tasteless, odourless and very water-soluble poison is a very potent metabolic poison.
1080 has been used in New Zealand for pest control since the mid-1950s, the only poison registered for aerial application, usually from a helicopter.
1080 was first registered as a pesticide for control of vertebrate pests in 1964 under the now repealed Pesticides Act. Its toxicity was well recognised at that time and it was classified as a “controlled pesticide,” which means that 1080 can only be used by licensed operators.
More information on 1080 can be found at:-
http://www.pwrc.usgs.gov/eisler/CHR_30_Sodium_monofluoroacetate.pdf
How does 1080 get into trout flesh?
1080 doesn’t contaminate trout flesh through bait dropped into waterways, but through secondary poisoning.
In the current situation we’re talking about trout which have consumed one or a number of mice, which have fed on 1080 bait as a result of the Department of Conservation’s (DOC) and TB-free New Zealand’s aerial 1080 programme.
So what are the risks?
DOC commissioned research by the independent Cawthron Research Institute on the risks of mice (which are routinely eaten by trout) carrying sub-lethal levels of 1080, to potentially become a food safety risk for humans.
Preliminary interpretation of these results shows that a trout eating a small number of mice with 1080 will have traces of 1080 that potentially exceed New Zealand Food Safety Authority limits for 1080 in food – until it breaks down over several weeks.
The potential risk to human health is likely to be low but erring on the side of caution, Fish & Game advises that if you have concerns, you should not to eat trout flesh from trout caught in 1080-poisoned catchments, until advised otherwise.
More information on the 1080 research can be found at:-
How much trout would I need to eat?
We are still waiting for scientists and medical experts to report back on this, so in the meantime, as we’ve noted, Fish & Game advises that if an angler has concerns, then to avoid any risk – simply do not eat trout caught in 1080- poisoned catchments, until advised otherwise. This does not mean you cannot fish in these areas – Catch and Release is still an option.
Once more testing and research has been undertaken we will publish it here.
How long do anglers have to wait after a drop before I can eat trout in?
This is one of the questions we are still waiting for an answer to, so we are reluctant to try and provide any guidelines at this stage. You can fish in 1080-poisoned catchments but practice catch and release until we have more information. Again, be assured that more testing and research has been undertaken we will publish it here.
Where can I fish in complete safety?
You can safely fish anywhere in New Zealand, the only potential risk comes if you are angling in an area where there’s been a recent 1080 drop, and you consume a large quantity of trout flesh.
Naturally you can still catch and release in the affected areas, and the vast majority of our fresh water fisheries remain completely safe to take a trout home for the table.
More information on the areas proposed for 1080 drops can be found at:-
http://www.doc.govt.nz/conservation/threats-and-impacts/animal-pests/pesticide-summaries/
What does this campaign involve?
DOC is carrying out these aerial 1080 drops as part of their ‘Battle for the Birds’ campaign, to counter the elevated levels of rodents and stoats during the anticipated ‘mast’ event this year.
This once in ten year mast seed event involves high levels of seed production in our beech forests that, because of ready food supply, is likely to trigger a rodent and stoat explosion.
What this means for anglers is there will be some ‘XOS’ size trout around as they feed readily on mice – large, protein-packed prey items for fish – enabling them to put on weight very quickly.
But some mice may be contaminated by 1080.
TB-free New Zealand also carries out a number of aerial 1080 operations to control possums to limit the spread of bovine tuberculosis (TB).
More information on can be found at:-
http://www.doc.govt.nz/conservation/restoration-projects/battle-for-our-birds-beech-mast-2014/
More information on beech mast can be found at:-
Where are the 1080 drops happening?
As part of DOC’s ‘Battle for the Birds’ initiative, the department is conducting targeted aerial 1080 drops across up to 43 sites, 38 in the South Island and only five in the North Island.
These sites have been identified as high priority ecosystems, which potentially hold vulnerable species.
More information on the areas proposed for 1080 drops can be found at:
http://www.doc.govt.nz/conservation/restoration-projects/battle-for-our-birds-beech-mast-2014/maps/
http://www.doc.govt.nz/conservation/threats-and-impacts/animal-pests/pesticide-summaries/
What sort of time frame is involved?
Depending on weather conditions these drops are proposed to take place between August and the end of November 2014.
More information on the status of 1080 operations can be found at:-
http://www.doc.govt.nz/conservation/threats-and-impacts/animal-pests/pesticide-summaries/
Where can I find out more?
We suggest for those interested, look up the links we’ve provided and be aware that 1080 has been a hotly debated issue.
http://www.doc.govt.nz/conservation/restoration-projects/battle-for-our-birds-beech-mast-2014/