How does the government prevent the spread of invasive species?

In Plain English

Based on the documents provided, here's how the Australian government works to prevent the spread of invasive species:

Strict Border Control: The Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation (Norfolk Island Region Threatened Species Recovery Plan) Instrument 2025 mentions that the movement of goods, vessels, and people into Norfolk Island is managed like international movements under the Biosecurity Act 2015. This means things coming into the island are carefully checked to prevent unwanted species from entering.
Prohibited Goods: Norfolk Island has a list of goods that are not allowed to be brought onto the island. This list is updated as needed to address potential biosecurity risks.
Surveys and Monitoring: Surveys like the Norfolk Island Quarantine Survey (NIQS) are conducted to gather data on exotic species present on the island. This information helps in risk analysis and decision-making regarding border control.
Quarantine Capabilities: Facilities like laboratories and heat treatment centers are established to enhance quarantine capabilities. Training is also provided, and quarantine detector dogs are used.
Threat Abatement Plans: The government develops threat abatement plans for key threatening processes, such as predation by feral cats, competition and land degradation by rabbits and feral pigs. These plans outline actions to minimize the impact of these species on biodiversity.
Coordination and Collaboration: The government supports coordinated national efforts to control invasive species, working with various stakeholders, including landholders, communities, and other government agencies.
Management Plans: Management plans are implemented in specific areas, such as the Australian National Botanic Gardens, to monitor and manage invasive animals like rabbits, cats, foxes, and rats.
Eradication Programs: In some cases, eradication programs are undertaken to remove established populations of invasive species from areas of high conservation value.

Detailed Explanation

The Australian government employs a multi-faceted approach to prevent the spread of invasive species, as evidenced by the provided legislative context. Key strategies include:

Biosecurity Measures: The Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation (Norfolk Island Region Threatened Species Recovery Plan) Instrument 2025 highlights the extension of Australian border control arrangements to Norfolk Island under the Biosecurity Act 2015. This involves managing the movement of vessels, goods, and people to prevent the introduction of exotic fauna, flora, or pathogens. The Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation (Norfolk Island Region Threatened Species Recovery Plan) Instrument 2025 also mentions the existence of a "goods determination" that prescribes prohibited items, which is amended as required.
Surveys and Risk Assessment: The Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation (Norfolk Island Region Threatened Species Recovery Plan) Instrument 2025 mentions the Norfolk Island Quarantine Survey (NIQS) which provides baseline data on exotic species. This data informs risk analysis and decisions related to border control arrangements. The results from the NQIS 2012–2014 were used to inform the Norfolk Island Pest and Disease Survey 2021–2023.
Threat Abatement Plans: The Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 provides for the identification and listing of key threatening processes and the development of threat abatement plans. Several threat abatement plans are mentioned in the provided context, including those for:
- Predation by Feral Cats: The Threat Abatement Plan for Predation by Feral Cats and Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation (Threat Abatement Plan for Predation by Feral Cats 2024) Instrument 2024 outline a national framework to manage the impacts of feral cats on biodiversity. The plan includes actions for effective control, improving control options, developing alternative strategies for threatened species recovery, and increasing public support for feral cat management.
- Competition and Land Degradation by Rabbits: The Threat Abatement Plan for competition and land degradation by rabbits (2016) aims to minimize the impact of rabbits on biodiversity through strategic management, improved knowledge, enhanced control programs, and increased community engagement.
- Predation, Habitat Degradation, Competition and Disease Transmission by Feral Pigs: The Threat Abatement Plan for predation, habitat degradation, competition and disease transmission by feral pigs (Sus scrofa) (2017) provides a strategic framework for managing feral pigs, including prioritizing key areas, integrating management into land management activities, encouraging research, monitoring control programs, building capacity, and improving public awareness.
- Competition and Land Degradation by Feral Goats: The Threat Abatement Plan for Competition and Land Degradation by Feral Goats focuses on preventing the establishment of unmanaged goats in high conservation areas, promoting the recovery of affected native species, and improving knowledge of goat impacts.
- Predation by the European Red Fox: The Threat Abatement Plan for Predation by the European Red Fox aims to prevent the establishment of foxes in fox-free areas, promote the recovery of affected native species, improve knowledge of fox impacts, and enhance the effectiveness of control options.
Management and Monitoring: The Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation (Australian National Botanic Gardens Management Plan) Instrument 2022 highlights the importance of monitoring populations of vertebrate pests and implementing appropriate management strategies.
Eradication Programs: The threat abatement plans for feral goats and European red foxes mention the eradication of established populations from "islands" considered to be of high conservation value (Threat Abatement Plan for Competition and Land Degradation by Feral Goats, Threat Abatement Plan for Predation by the European Red Fox).
Community Engagement: The Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation (Norfolk Island Region Threatened Species Recovery Plan) Instrument 2025 emphasizes the importance of community support and engagement in achieving the plan's objectives. This includes developing citizen science programs, education campaigns, and sharing information about the impact of invasive species. The Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation (Threat Abatement Plan for Predation by Feral Cats 2024) Instrument 2024 also highlights the need for ongoing communication and engagement to increase awareness of cat impacts and support for cat management.