T H R E AT S
Biosecurity
Tasmania’s island advantage – our world‑class parks and reserves, our clean and green produce and our
unique biodiversity – relies on keeping out and/or controlling invasive introduced diseases, pests and weeds.
The following species present the greatest threats and/or the most significant management challenges.
ALERT PESTS
The Tasmanian community is on HIGH ALERT for
the following pests. Please follow the reporting
instructions on page 4.
European fox
currently exists in New South Wales, Queensland and
Victoria. During summer the disease is indicated by bright
yellow pustules seen on the soft growing tips of leaves,
stems and buds. When severely infected, young plants and
new growth may become stunted and/or die.
Tasmanian status: Not detected. Myrtaceae imports
into Tasmania are banned (special import permits
excepted).
How it spreads: Spores spread by wind, rain, animals
(birds, insects) and people with contaminated material (eg
bringing plants from interstate, clothing.)
Control: Eradication unlikely if introduced.
Didymo
European fox (Photo: Chris Cox, IACRC)
Foxes are intelligent, elusive and deadly, recognised
nationally as the single most devastating introduced
pest. Should foxes become established in Tasmania, over
70 native animal species would be at risk, with quolls,
bettongs, bandicoots and pademelons most vulnerable.
These species have disappeared or are extremely rare on
the Australian mainland due to fox predation.
Tasmanian status: Foxes have been deliberately
introduced into Tasmania a number of times. Most of
these introductions were for recreational hunting and the
animals were killed shortly after release.
Control: Every fox sighting requires immediate
notification. The aim is for eradication, not control.
Myrtle rust
Didymo (rock snot) (Photo: Shirley Hayward, courtesy of NIWA, NZ)
Didymo, or rock snot, is made up of millions of
microscopic cells that can’t be seen until a large colony
has formed – by which stage it’s almost impossible to
eradicate. Widespread in the northern hemisphere and
has been present as a pest in New Zealand since 2004
where it has wreaked havoc choking streams and river
systems. The thick, brown, slimy sludge spreads rapidly,
attaching to rocks and submerged plants. Significantly
impacts water quality, aquatic invertebrates and fish
stocks. Hazardous for hydroelectric generation, agricultural
irrigation and recreation.
Tasmanian status: Not detected. Quarantine Services
on highest alert, vigilantly checking ports of entry from
New Zealand.
Mature infections produce yellow pustules, distinguishing it from
other Myrtaceae diseases (Photo: Dr Angus Carnegie. Courtesy: NSW DII)
Myrtle rust is a disease only found in the Myrtaceae
family, which includes eucalypts, teatrees and paperbarks.
It is caused by the rust fungus Uredo rangelii. Myrtle rust
How it spreads: One didymo cell in a single drop
of water is enough for the algae to spread. Its primary
spread pathway is via contaminated aquatic and fishing
equipment between waterways.
Control: Once established, control is impossible.
Depar tment of Pr imar y Industr ies, Par ks, Water and Environment
ARRIVED PESTS
The following pests have arrived in Tasmania.
Their eradication is either not feasible, or is
extremely unlikely. To minimise their spread, please
refer to the action items in the table on page 4.
Phytophthora – Root Rot
How it spreads: The movement of infected frogs,
tadpoles and water are the key agents of spread.
The fungus is also spread in muddy bushwalking and
camping gear, vehicle tyres, and in fire-fighting water tanks.
Control: Extremely difficult. No effective way currently
to treat wild infected frog populations. The aim is to
prevent further spread from infected to uninfected
sites, especially within the Tasmanian Wilderness World
Heritage Area.
Platypus Mucor
Dead swamp heath and white waratah in the foreground
(Photo courtesy: Tim Rudman, DPIPWE)
Phytophthora cinnamomi is an introduced watermould that
can cause plant disease and death in native Tasmanian
vegetation, particularly in buttongrass moorland, heathland
and heathy dry eucalypt communities. Numerous species
are affected, including grass trees, many native peas, white
waratah and christmas bells.
Tasmanian status: Present and widespread
throughout Tasmania in lowland environments (below
700m). Disease is present in many national parks and
reserves, however significant disease-free areas remain
that require protection.
Platypus with mucor ulcer (Photo: Nick Gust, DPIPWE)
How it spreads: The mould spreads in water and
mud, and from plant to plant. Typical carriers include
bushwalking and camping gear, and muddy vehicle tyres.
Mucor amphibiorum is a native Australian fungus causing
a potentially deadly ulcerative infection in Tasmanian
platypus. There is no known evidence of the disease
affecting platypus on the Australian mainland.
Control: Not feasible to eradicate. Focus is on
protecting natural areas with significant values
(eg threatened species) and disease-free areas.
Tasmanian status: The disease has been detected
in Tasmanian platypus since 1982, and is particularly
prevalent in the north-central part of the state.
How it spreads: Unknown
Chytrid
Control: Unknown.
Introduced animals
Tasmanian tree frog (Photo courtesy: Alex Dudley)
Chytrid fungus infects the skin of frogs destroying its
structure and function, and can ultimately cause death. The
disease has been causing frog extinctions worldwide.
Tasmanian status: Present and widespread in
disturbed areas, while largely absent from the Tasmanian
Wilderness World Heritage Area. Our three endemic
species are potentially at risk (Tasmanian tree frog,
Tasmanian froglet and Moss froglet), along with the Green
and gold frog and Striped marsh frog, which are already
threatened.
Threats – Biosecur ity
Trout, European wasps, European bumblebees, European
honey bees, feral cats, feral goats, rabbits and European
foxes are just some of the introduced animals that
threaten our native species and natural areas. The most
significant of these is the European fox.
Environmental weeds
Marine pests
Weeds pose a significant threat to Tasmania’s natural
environment. Those that invade bushland and threaten
native plants by outcompeting them are known as
environmental weeds. Tasmania has 68 declared
environmental weeds. Those most affecting our natural
areas at present are European gorse, blackberry,
hawthorn, Spanish heath, boneseed and sea spurge.
Australia has over 250 introduced marine species,
however not all are deemed marine pests. Most have little
impact. Some however, are highly invasive and aggressive,
threatening our native species and marine
ecosystems. Tasmania’s worst marine pests are described
below.
Control: Marine pests are almost impossible to
control. A few are being harvested on a small-scale
for commercial gain (long-spined sea urchin and
Japanese kelp).
Tasmanian status: Many national parks and reserves
are relatively free of weeds, with most occurring in areas
of greater human activity.
More information: Contact: Sea Fishing &
Aquaculture, DPIPWE.
How they spread: Weed seeds have been commonly
found on or in vehicles (especially underneath), clothing
(especially pockets and attached to velcro), backpacks and
bags.
Northern Pacific seastar (Asterias ammurensis)
Highly invasive voracious feeder of shellfish and other
marine animals. Few predators. Arrived aboard boat hulls,
fishing gear and ballast.
Control: Some weeds can be locally eradicated. Many,
however, are only able to be controlled, or it is not
feasible to manage them
New Zealand screwshell (Maoricolpus roseus)
Rapidly spreads and competes for food and space with
native screwshells and scallops on sandy seafloors. Few
predators. Arrived in ballast water.
More information: Contact Weeds, Pests and
Diseases, DPIPWE
European green crab (Carcinus maenas)
Preys on scallops, mussels and oysters. Invades habitat of
native crabs, causes havoc in aquaculture farms. Arrived
aboard boats and fishing gear.
Japanese kelp (Undaria pinnatifida)
Highly invasive, grows rapidly, excludes native seaweeds.
Spores transported aboard boats, on fishing and dive gear,
and in natural currents.
Long-spined sea urchin (Centrostephanus rodgersii)
Native to east Australian mainland. As the ocean’s
temperature increases, its range has extended further
south. The species now exists down the entire eastern
coast of Tasmania. In large numbers, without predators,
they completely transform lush, productive kelp beds into
lifeless bare rock. One of the few predators able to break
into their spiny shells are very large rock lobsters, which
are found in marine protected areas.
Clockwise from top left: sea spurge, spanish heath, blackberry, boneseed
Pacific oyster (Crassostrea gigas)
Spreads rapidly, competes with native shellfish. Native to
Japan. Introduced to Tasmania for aquaculture.
Left to right: Northern Pacific seastar, New Zealand screwshell, Long-spined sea urchin, Pacific oyster
Threats – Biosecur ity
Simon Grove
DPIPWE
CSIRO
CSIRO
European clam (Varicorbula gibba)
Spreads rapidly. Can completely alter seafloor ecology.
Competes with native species and commercial scallops.
Arrived aboard boats and fishing gear.
WHAT TO DO:
PESTACTION
ALERT PESTS
Fox
REPORT - 1300 369 688 (1300 FOX OUT)
Myrtle rust
REPORT - 1800 084 881 (Emergency Plant Pest Hotline)
Photograph and accurately record location. Do not collect a sample.
Didymo
REPORT - 1800 675 888 (Disease Watch Hotline)
People coming from New Zealand waterways must be especially
vigilant, ensuring boats, trailers, fishing, diving and boating gear are
clean and dry. Once established, control of didymo is impossible.
ARRIVED PESTS
Phytophthora ‘root rot’CHECK>CLEAN>DRY
Mould spores cannot survive out of water. Use washdown stations
where they are present. Stay on marked tracks where possible to
avoid spreading disease.
ChytridCHECK>CLEAN>DISINFECT>DRY
The fungus cannot survive out of water. Don’t move frogs or
tadpoles to new locations. Don’t transfer water, plants, soil between
frog habitats. If disposing of large volumes of water in natural areas
stay away from frog habitat. Report sightings of sick or dead frogs to
1800 675 888 (Disease Watch Hotline)
Platypus MucorCHECK>CLEAN>DISINFECT>DRY
Introduced animalsCHECK>CLEAN
Introduced weedsCHECK>CLEAN
Marine pestsCHECK>CLEAN>DRY
Clean and anti-foul boat and dinghy hulls annually. Clean all boating,
fishing and dive gear after every trip.
Report new findings – 1800 675 888 (Disease Watch Hotline)
Before you leave home (and between tracks, rivers, lakes and islands)
CHECK
DISINFECT
Thoroughly CHECK your waders, footwear,
velcro, pockets, packs, equipment, boats
and vehicles for mud, soil, algae and plant
material. Check boats, food containers and
equipment for stowaway invertebrates and
other pests.
Where complete drying of footwear and
equipment is not possible, DISINFECT by
spraying or soaking with F10 solution for at
least one minute (absorbent material at least
five minutes). Boat owners should regularly
anti-foul hulls.
CLEAN
DRY
Ensure that all debris is removed from
clothing, packs and equipment and is left on
site or disposed of appropriately. CLEAN
clothing and equipment by scrubbing in local
or town water.
Completely DRY all waders, footwear,
clothing, equipment, boats and vehicles.
Dry neoprene or felt for 48 hours.
Visiting an off-shore island?
Many of our islands are free from pests, weeds and diseases—and we’d like to keep them that way. If you’re visiting an
island, CHECK, CLEAN AND DRY everything before you leave home.
Internet: www.parks.tas.gov.au
July 2012 © State of Tasmania
Threats – Biosecur ity