Coromandel board votes to ban 1080

[Bounce001]

Have they been eradicated anywhere?

I haven't paid much attention but the last figure I saw was a 70% reduction in numbers in areas that had 1080 dropped on them.

And at least a 70% reduction in native birds etc

[Oscar]

And at least a 70% reduction in native birds etc

(sigh) You have proof of this, of course?

[Bounce001]

(sigh) You have proof of this, of course?

The proof is when you go into the bush and it is silent

[Mully]

I note that the absence of any proof hasn't stopped you from repeating what appears to be scurrilous rumour and/or a nutbar conspiracy theory, though.

Well, it wouldn't be KB if it was researched and verified, now would it?

Yes,from islands.I don't know if 1080 was initially used,but I personally know possum hunters who were involved in Rangitoto and Motutapu,and they don't hunt possums with 1080....traps and guns are the preferred method.

I think islands are a different kettle of fish - Rangitoto isn't that big or badly terrained compared to the Coro peninsula. Plus, Rangitoto would have much more chance of runoff into the sea.

$10 says that if they go back to trapping and shooting the bastards, the hippies will complain about hurting the poor little possums - cruel and unusual punishment and the like.

[scissorhands]

'$10 says that if they go back to trapping and shooting the bastards, the hippies will complain about hurting the poor little possums - cruel and unusual punishment and the like. '

But its not hippies doing most of the complaining its hunters and farmers

Poison aint right, too indiscriminate

[Blackbird]

And at least a 70% reduction in native birds etc

Just like global warming, the facts are obscured by hype and self-interest.

Recent press statement:
Forest & Bird warn: without 1080, the forests will fall silent

As the debate over the use of 1080 poison rages on, Forest and Bird and Federated Farmers have jointly endorsed its continued use.

“It’s this simple: if we don’t continue to use 1080 to control pests, we run the risk that in 20 years most of our forests will fall silent,” warns Helen Bain on behalf of Forest and Bird and Federated Farmers.

Here's the summary of a University of Auckland study:

IMPACTS OF AERIAL 1080 POISONING ON THE BIRDS OF
RANGITOTO ISLAND, HAURAKI GULF, NEW ZEALAND
Summary: Bird populations were monitored for one year (October 1990-October 1991) to determine whether the
1080 poison used to eradicate possums and wallabies on Rangitoto Island had had any detrimental effects on them.
There was no significant decline in bird numbers recorded immediately after poisoning, with four species increasing
in abundance (P<0.001). Twelve months after the operation the abundance of four species had increased
significantly (P<0.001). The poisoning does not appear to have had any negative effect on the bird populations of
Rangitoto, while the removal of browsing mammals may in future prove to have beneficial effects.


It seems to me as a complete layman that the impact of 1080 might vary from area to area but it's certainly not universally the spawn of the devil.

Opinions are worthless without hard evidence!

[Oscar]

The proof is when you go into the bush and it is silent

Your senile deafness is not evidence...

[Pwalo]

[QUOTE=Blackbird;1129549508]Just like global warming, the facts are obscured by hype and self-interest.

Recent press statement:
Forest & Bird warn: without 1080, the forests will fall silent

As the debate over the use of 1080 poison rages on, Forest and Bird and Federated Farmers have jointly endorsed its continued use.

“It’s this simple: if we don’t continue to use 1080 to control pests, we run the risk that in 20 years most of our forests will fall silent,” warns Helen Bain on behalf of Forest and Bird and Federated Farmers.

QUOTE]

Yep that's my understanding of the matter. 1080 has been, and will continue to be the most effective way of dealing with possums. At least until we can come up with a way of shipping them to Oz where they like them a bit more.

[Dadpole]

The proof is when you go into the bush and it is silent

I spend a lot of time in the Tararuas, and areas where no 1080 is dropped are silent too.
I have seen the results of an intensive 5 year trapping and hand laid poison campaign (http://nzda.wellington.net.nz/About_Us.html See Conservation) and while impressive, it focused a lot of resources in a small area.
To repeat that over a large area would be impossible without a (very) large bank balance.
In my view, though I hate to see it done, 1080 is the only solution at present.

[Headbanger]

So, In conclusion

1080 Rocks like a white motherfucker in a land grab.

[The Pastor]

Yes,from islands.I don't know if 1080 was initially used,but I personally know possum hunters who were involved in Rangitoto and Motutapu,and they don't hunt possums with 1080....traps and guns are the preferred method.

my mates makes a killing off trapping. its a single mans game tho

[Hitcher]

1080 hasn't succeeded and never will 'eradicate' possums. It may however eradicate what is left of native species which are not so hardy.

Aerial dropping 1080 is just plain criminal as you cannot guarantee where it ends up, and what is going to eat it. If bait stations are used, than surely whoever is maintaining the lines, could maintain a trap line instead, and carry a .223 and a spotlight.

I heard awhile ago, the only reason 1080 was pushed was because the 2 politicians responsible had business interests in the company that manufactures the baits. Although, having done no research into this it is only speculation..

Nonsense. While there is definitely by-kill in a 1080 operation, the recovery of native bird species subsequently is spectacular. DoC and regional councils can vouch for that claim. Why do they know? Because they monitor numbers before and after. If nongs with burrs up their bums and nothing other than hearsay to back up their largely fraudulent claims want to piss all over evidence-based science, then they'll get a rise from me every time.

[Pussy]

Methinks there are some who don't quite understand what sort of a problem possums REALLY are, too

[Motu]

my mates makes a killing off trapping. its a single mans game tho

Human trapping has very human faults.....greed.In the early days of bounty trapping,while they were taking skins in one area....they were releasing possums in another,guaranteeing future income.For trapping to work the income will be very good,then get less and less....then after one skin a week you are out of a job.Time to retrain as another faceless IT worker.

The islands worked because they were small scale - to go after 70 million possums is serious big scale.It can be done - send a hundred or more guys into an area,and take the fuckers out by hand one at a time until the place is clean....then move on.But there has to be a future for these guys beyond a good income while the job is on.I don't think this government has the guts to future proof the life of the people who commit to the task.

[Headbanger]

But there has to be a future for these guys beyond a good income while the job is on.I don't think this government has the guts to future proof the life of the people who commit to the task.

Uh, Why should they?, Plenty of people take on short term contracts knowing full well when the job is done they will need to move in another direction, No need for the Government to or anyone else to hand some a life plan for doing a job with a finite time span.