Island invasives: eradication and management

Tristan da Cunha is the world’s remotest inhabited island, with a population of around 270 people. Ship rats (Rattus rattus) and house mice (Mus musculus) are present on the main island of Tristan and house mice are present on Gough Island, also part of the UK Overseas Territory of Tristan da Cunha. The impacts of invasive rodents on both islands have been well documented and detailed plans to eradicate them were developed in association with island representatives. In March 2008, the island was visited to discuss eradication plans with the island community and get their views on the proposals. Information disseminated about the project was followed by individual meetings with all government departments and other employers. These individual meetings proved by far the most effective forum for hearing people’s views. Strong concerns were expressed about the safety of an aerial bait drop on Tristan, in particular the perceived risks to children, livestock and the security of the water supply. The proposed eradication of mice from Gough Island was fully supported. Although the population on Tristan did not want a full-scale rodent eradication carried out on the island, they were keen to have improved rodent control around the settlement and at agricultural sites. This work underlines the importance of detailed public consultation with small island communities during the planning of rodent eradication projects. The proposed Tristan rodent eradication project would not have been successfully completed without the full support of the Tristan community. Plans for rodent eradication on Tristan have been shelved for the time being.