New Caledonia scoops 2024 Pacific Invasive Species Battler of the Year Award
Patrick Barrière, Coordinator of the Threats Unit at the New Caledonian Biodiversity Agency (ANCB), has been honoured as the 2024 Pacific Invasive Species Battler of the Year.
This accolade was presented during a special awards night and farewell function for participants of the sixth Pacific Invasive Learning Network (PILN) meeting, organised by the Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP) and hosted by the Government of Cook Islands.
The Battler of the Year Award commenced in 2017 and recognises Pacific invasive species field-based practitioners who work at the grassroots level and have achieved outstanding outcomes for biodiversity in respective Pacific islands, countries and territories.
Invasive species in New Caledonia: Deers
In New Caledonia, invasive species such as deer pose a severe ecological threat to local biodiversity. The Rusa deer, along with other introduced herbivores and fire, has contributed to the loss of dry forest, which now occupies only 1% of its original area. This invasive species consumes over 130 endemics, native, or introduced plants and significantly impacts carbon sequestration, jeopardising the climate change adaptation capacities of local biodiversity.
Drones to better identify and regulate deer populations
To address this challenge, ANCB, through SPREP’s PROTEGE funding, commissioned a feasibility study using thermal sensor drones to better identify and regulate deer populations. This project combines drone technology and sensors with artificial intelligence algorithms to allow rapid and comprehensive assessments of various species, improving the countries’ ability to monitor and control invasive mammals.
Through the PROTEGE project, Pacific territories are supported in implementing resilience activities that consider local resources and new technologies. As climate change facilitates the spread and establishment of invasive species worldwide, it is essential to incorporate biosecurity, early detection, and rapid response into both national and regional policies to tackle climate change issues.
More information: La Nouvelle-Calédonie remporte le prix du lutteur de l’année 2024 contre les espèces envahissantes dans le Pacifique | Environnement du Pacifique (sprep.org)
