Government of the Pitcairn Islands Territorial Invasive Species Strategy and Action Plan 2024-2031

Abstract

The Pitcairn Islands are gems in the Pacific ocean, boasting pristine waters and their own unique ecosystems. The endemic plants, insects, birds, and marine life are a major part of what makes Pitcairn unique. This environment is under continual threat from invasive species. You need only to look around Pitcairn Island to see the damage that the Rose-apples, the Blue Morning Glory, and the Lantana have caused to the island’s landscape. Eradicating rats, controlling the spread of invasive weeds and reducing the populations of pests like Fruit Flies will mean better crops, less time and resources spent managing these problems, and a better environment for all. Keeping Henderson, Ducie and Oeno rat-free is a major vision, and one that our community and visitors will need to play their part to realise. Preventing the arrival of new invasive species will need effective procedures in New Zealand, Mangareva and other sources, to ensure that the people, goods, and commodities coming to the island do not bring new problems. We will need to publicise the biosecurity requirements to visitors before they get to the island. And we will need all islanders to work together to ensure that these rules are followed: to protect their crops, their wonderful honey, and those natural elements that make Pitcairn unique