Kaoha nui! The team recently spent three days on Eiao and Hatutaa, Marquesas Islands. They are fascinating places to visit.

Offloading supplies onto Eiao Island. Credit: Richard Griffiths

Eiao, where I spent my time, is 5,600ha and is probably one of the largest uninhabited islands of the Pacific. Yet, the island has been extensively modified by the presence of invasive sheep, pigs, cats and rats. Massive soil erosion (more than 6 feet in places) has reduced much of the islands plateau to a sun-bleached desert.

Invasive species have caused significant erosion on Eiao Island. Credit: Richard Griffiths

In the midst of this devastation, pockets of relatively intact forest remain in gullies too steep for invasive sheep and pigs to access. It is also likely, although we were unable to confirm this, that there are places on the island where even invasive cats and rats cannot reach. These protected regions could still support birds such as the Endangered Polynesian Storm Petrel. Our take-home message for Eiao was that the potential for biodiversity recovery is enormous. To restoring the island we would firstneed agreement from residents.

Hatutaa (640ha) is another story altogether. With only invasive Pacific rats to contend with, the island is a stronghold for the Marquesan Ground Dove. Phoenix Petrels (I got to see my first) and many other seabird species also nest there.

Phoneix Petrel in flight. Credit: Richard Griffiths

My colleagues Jason, Tehani and Fred spent three days on the island, documenting seabird numbers, counting crabs and describing the islands vegetation among other activities. Due to limited options for shelter, the team had to sleep under a patch of Pisonia forest. Needless to say the black tarp that Jason slept under changed from black to white, courtesy of the Black Noddies nesting above.

Camp on Hatutaa Island. Credit: Richard Griffiths

Upon returning from Eiao and Hatutaa we met with the mayor and community leaders of Nuku Hiva to discuss the goals and objectives of the restoration project. Rat eradication on Hatutaa and Hatu iti (a smaller island also with Phoenix petrel) is fully supported by the community. The subject of removing invasive pigs and sheep from Eiao is another story; we may consider setting up some fenced enclosures on the island to demonstrate the impacts that ungulates are having and the potential for recovery.

South Coast of Eiao. Credit: Richard Griffiths

From Nuku Hiva the team (sans moi) has now sailed off to Ua Pou and then to Fatu Uku and Mohotani, two more of the projects priority sites.I stayed in Nuku Hiva with Fred and will fly out tomorrow morning. While here, Fred and I got a spot on Marquesan breakfast radio to discuss the project which was a sore test for my poor French.

The crew aboard the Shark. Credit: Richard Griffiths

Look out for the next installment from Jason.

Featured photo: Approaching Hatutaa. Credit: Richard Griffiths

Read this article:

Exploring the Marquesas Islands - Island Conservation News (press release) (blog)