NSW Department of Primary Industries technical specialist honey bees Doug Somerville – who grew up in Bega – said some species of bumblebee in the UK have been declared extinct.

Recently, the US Fish and Wildlife Service listed seven species of yellow-faced bee in Hawaii as endangered – the first bees to be included on its list. 

But Dr Somerville said the news would have no effect on Australia, aside from highlighting the vulnerability of species around the planet. 

He said there had to be a reason bees would become endangered - by pests, pathogen or habitat loss – and attributed the decline of the bumblebees in the UK and US to habitat loss.

“We don’t know enough about native bees to know what is a normal population to start off with,” he said. 

“While our habitat continues to be changed by human behaviour, we don’t know what effect that will have either.

“But we are slowly changing the Australian ecology, there’s no doubt about that.” 

It was also unknown what effect introduced species were having on the native population. 

But he said there were several native species that could have economic importance, such as blue banded bees that exist in the Bega Valley. They are fairly easy to attract to a location and are good at pollinating tomatoes.  

When it came to keeping honey bees in the Valley, Dr Somerville said it can either be extremely good or extremely tough, depending on the conditions. 

Right now, he said it was good, but there were differences between places such as Bega and Bemboka. 

Interest in beekeeping has been growing around the country, he said, including on the Far South Coast. 

On Saturday, Dr Somerville led an advanced workshop at the Old Bega Hospital organised by the Bega Valley Amateur Beekeepers Association (BVABA). 

This season, the club has host three beginners’ workshops due to demand as well as the advanced workshop.  

BVABA treasurer Lyall Zweck said there were about 40 members in the club who came from as far away as Mallacoota, Nowra and Bombala.

“It’s not bad for a club that’s only been going for two years,” he said. 

He said the next nearest beekeeping club was in the ACT, then Sydney. 

The next club meeting is at the Meals on Wheels rooms in Auckland St, Bega, from 7-9pm on November 8. 

There will be a video, Q&A session and the chance to ask questions to more experienced beekeepers.