Australia Invests $28 Million to Boost Water Quality in Macquarie Harbour.
The Australian government has announced an AUD 28 million (USD 18.4 million) initiative to enhance water quality and environmental conditions in Tasmania’s Macquarie Harbour, a crucial area for the state’s $1 billion aquaculture industry. The investment aims to support both the long-term viability of Tasmania’s salmon industry and the conservation of local species.
The funding includes $21 million dedicated to increasing oxygenation in the harbour. This measure is intended to counteract the environmental impacts of human activity, with additional efforts directed toward sediment remediation and researching the impacts of historical mining. Oxygenation levels have shown improvement in trials, providing a foundation for this large-scale investment.
An additional $5 million will go towards expanding the Maugean Skate breeding program, focusing on hatching and rearing juvenile skates for release to support the species’ population. Further, $2.5 million has been earmarked for monitoring the skate population, environmental compliance, and engaging the Strahan community. These efforts are designed to track and preserve Macquarie Harbour’s ecosystem while sustaining the local aquaculture industry.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese underscored the role of the salmon industry in supporting regional communities and jobs across Tasmania. “It’s essential we have a sustainable industry, which supports workers and the environment,” he said, noting the new measures’ aim to balance economic stability with ecological protection.
Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry Julie Collins highlighted the government’s backing of Tasmania’s salmon industry and environmental safeguards. “These measures will protect our state’s unique environment and support sustainable salmon farming in Macquarie Harbour,” she remarked, adding that rising oxygen levels in the harbour reflect progress.
Senator Anne Urquhart further emphasized the investment’s dual benefits for the industry and local biodiversity. She referenced successful international precedents for engineered oxygenation and noted that ongoing trials in Macquarie Harbour have already shown positive results.
