Invasive Species Council

ISC annual award

The Biosecure Australia Award replaces the ISC Froggatt Award, of previous years. Despite the name change, the current Award upholds the same principles as the original, named after Walter W. Froggatt, a New South Wales Government Entomologist who campaigned against the original introduction of the Cane Toad in the 1930s.

2006 Biosecure Australia Award
The ISC Biosecure Australia Award is presented annually in recognition of an outstanding contribution to the early warning, preventative action, awareness raising or management of an invasive species in Australia.

Winner of the 2006 ISC Biosecure Australia Award is Dr. Andrew Hingston of the School of Geography and Environmental Studies at the University of Tasmania in Hobart. Dr. Hingston has won the prize for his research on the invasion of the European Bumblebee (Bombus terrestris), its impacts, and also for his advocacy for a strong response from government.

An industry group is currently attempting to have the Australian government allow the legal importation of the bumblebee to mainland Australia, a move opposed by Dr. Hingston, ISC and others aware of the environmental damage the animal could cause.

In partnership with various colleagues, Dr. Hingston has spent years researching and documenting in refereed scientific papers the bumblebee's actual and potential impacts, following the illegal importation of bumblebees to the island state in 1992. There is now strong community interest in stopping bumblebees spreading to other states, in large part because of his work.

Bumblebees are a significant threat to the survival of the nationally endangered swift parrot, are implicated in the spread of some invasive weeds, and are known to be aggressive in defending territory - which can include domestic backyards.

ISC says that bumblebees should not be permitted to enter mainland Australia, and recently sent a submission to federal Minister for the Environment, Ian Campbell, rebutting the industry group's application to import the bees. Dr. Hingston contributed to that submission.

about the award
The Cane Toad (Bufo marinus) was introduced into Australia at Edmonton in North Queensland in 1935 to control the Grey Backed Cane Beetle and the Frenchie Beetle which were devastating northern Australia's sugar cane industry. The Toad was introduced with no research or testing to see if it was specific to or suitable for control of these beetles.

As is so often the case, release of the Cane Toad was against the advice of some naturalists and scientists. These included a former New South Wales Government Entomologist named Walter W. Froggatt. Although their protests resulted in a brief moratorium on the release of toads, releases resumed in 1936.

The Toad had minimal impact on the beetles and has since become a widespread pest in north east Australia having significant impacts on indigenous fauna and ecosystems. It continues to invade across the top end, recently entering Kakadu National Park. To this day, research conducted, particularly into biological control, always meets the public question, "Will it become another Cane Toad?".