You can help reinforce the importance of eradicating rabbits and rodents from Macquarie Island. Please write to the State and Federal Ministers for the Environment expressing your support. If you chose to compile your own letter, the following points may be worthwhile inclusions:
* The rabbit population on Macquarie Island is out of control;
* World Heritage values are being negatively impacted;
* Sixteen species of fauna and one plant species are found on Macquarie Island that are listed on the Tasmanian Threatened Species List;
* The island has been listed as habitat critical to the survival of two albatross species on the Register of Critical Habitat under the Environment Protection Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999;
* Four species of albatross breed on Macquarie Island, and all are vulnerable to extinction;
* The Macquarie Island Nature Reserve and World Heritage Area Draft Management Plan 2003 notes that the eradication of rabbits, rats and mice is one of the highest conservation priorities due to their effect on biodiversity and landscape;
* The eradication plan has been written;
* Rabbit and rodent eradication techniques proposed for Macquarie Island have already been successfully used on the South African, French and New Zealand subantarctic islands; and
* This matter is extremely urgent.
Send correspondence to:
Paula Wriedt
Minister for Tourism, Arts and the Environment
c/- Parliament House
Hobart TAS 7000
Australia
Paula.Wriedt@parliament.tas.gov.au
Jeremy Rockliff
Liberal Member for Braddon, Deputy Leader of the Opposition
47b Best Street
DEVONPORT Tasmania, 7310
Australia
jeremy.rockliff@parliament.tas.gov.au
www.jeremyrockliff.com.au
p.(03) 6421 7930
f. (03) 6423 5819
m. 0428 217930
Ian Campbell
Minister for Environment and Heritage
Parliament House
Canberra ACT 2600
Australia
Senator.ian.campbell@aph.gov.au
The following letter may alternatively be copied and sent: Writing to the Ministers