❓ A parliamentary question regarding a feasibility study on using helicopters for mosquito control in Perth's wetlands, focusing on the potential impacts on non-target species and alternative control strategies. The answer defends the proposed method, citing minimal environmental impact and existing successful programs.
AnsweredQoN 3185Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
I refer to the Department of Health's feasibility study of using a helicopter to control mosquito breeding in Perth's Swan and Canning River wetlands, and I ask: (a) did the study identify the projected impacts of this proposal on non-target species that feed on mosquitos, such as dragonflies, from a large scale application of mosquito larvicide: (i) if yes to (a), what are these projected impacts; (b) what are the projected impacts on other wildlife and biodiversity such as native frogs and birds, from the large scale application and use of a helicopter to apply mosquito larvicide; and (c) what other non-toxic control strategies, such as public education on removing mosquito breeding sites in and around the home, have been investigated regarding mosquito control and management?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
16 June 2015
Responded by
Parliamentary Secretary representing the Minister for Health
Response time
27 days
Answer as at 20 May 2015 -
(a) The larvicides proposed for control of saltmarsh mosquitoes in Swan and Canning River wetlands in the Department of Health's feasibility study are registered for this purpose by the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority. They are the most environmentally acceptable larvicides available, are highly target (mosquito) specific and have minimal impact on non-target species when used at label rates. Furthermore, the wetlands that are the subject of this study have been subject to ground-based Local Government mosquito control programs, using the exact same larvicides for many years. The program is about increasing the efficiency and effectiveness of the programs rather than introducing a new or expanded larviciding regime to the wetlands.
(b) None. Similar ground-based and aerial larviciding programs have been used in the South West for many years with no demonstrated impact on non-target wildlife.
(c) This program is aimed at managing plague populations of saltmarsh mosquitoes breeding in tidal and brackish wetlands. Control of mosquitoes breeding in backyards, although important as part of a broader, integrated strategy, will have no impact whatsoever on saltmarsh mosquitoes which comprise the vast majority of the impact on amenity for residents of river-side suburbs in some years.
(a) The larvicides proposed for control of saltmarsh mosquitoes in Swan and Canning River wetlands in the Department of Health's feasibility study are registered for this purpose by the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority. They are the most environmentally acceptable larvicides available, are highly target (mosquito) specific and have minimal impact on non-target species when used at label rates. Furthermore, the wetlands that are the subject of this study have been subject to ground-based Local Government mosquito control programs, using the exact same larvicides for many years. The program is about increasing the efficiency and effectiveness of the programs rather than introducing a new or expanded larviciding regime to the wetlands.
(b) None. Similar ground-based and aerial larviciding programs have been used in the South West for many years with no demonstrated impact on non-target wildlife.
(c) This program is aimed at managing plague populations of saltmarsh mosquitoes breeding in tidal and brackish wetlands. Control of mosquitoes breeding in backyards, although important as part of a broader, integrated strategy, will have no impact whatsoever on saltmarsh mosquitoes which comprise the vast majority of the impact on amenity for residents of river-side suburbs in some years.
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