Tasmanian beekeepers are anxiously waiting to see whether bushfires burning on the state’s West Coast have destroyed hives that are vital to the honey industry.
The fires pose a significant threat to leatherwood trees, which produce the nectar essential for Tasmania’s premium leatherwood honey.
Each year, Tasmania’s beekeepers produce over 1,000 tonnes of honey, with a farm gate value of around $15 million.
More than 75% of the state’s honey production comes from leatherwood blossoms, which flower from early January to April.
Tasmanian Beekeepers Association president Lindsay Bourke says around 20,000 beehives are placed in the north-west and west coast regions during this period.
“These fires are not only a direct danger to bees but can also be devastating to the leatherwood trees and the fragile rainforest environments in which they are found,” he said.
“It takes between 30 and 150 years for a leatherwood tree to produce a good flow of nectar.”
Bourke said beekeepers with hives in the affected areas are closely monitoring the situation and working with fire authorities and Parks and Wildlife to protect at-risk hives.
“It is unclear at this stage what damage has been done beehives in the area, although some beekeepers are reporting that they have lost hives,” he said.
“It is also too early to assess what damage has been done to specific vegetation, including leatherwood trees.”
