Albanese Backs Salmon Farming in Macquarie Harbour with Legislative Commitment
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has assured Tasmania’s salmon industry that the federal government will introduce new environmental laws to safeguard farming operations in Macquarie Harbour, amid ongoing regulatory scrutiny.
In a letter to the industry, seen by ABC News, Albanese stated that legislation would be introduced to provide a framework for the continuation of salmon farming, emphasizing that “no jobs will be lost.”
The future of Macquarie Harbour’s salmon operations has been under review since November 2023, when conservation groups requested that the government reassess the industry’s approvals under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act (EPBC). The request followed concerns over the impact of farming on the endangered Maugean skate, a species found only in the harbour.
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The government has also postponed a separate decision on whether to upgrade the Maugean skate’s conservation status to critically endangered until after the next federal election. Meanwhile, Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek is still considering whether salmon farming operations require further environmental approvals but has not set a timeframe for a decision.
The announcement follows a report from the Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies (IMAS), which found that Maugean skate populations have stabilized at 2014 levels, coinciding with improvements in dissolved oxygen levels in the harbour.
The Albanese government has previously committed $28 million to improve water quality in the area, including $21 million for oxygenation trials designed to mitigate the effects of farming on marine conditions.
The industry’s presence in Macquarie Harbour remains a political issue, particularly in Strahan, where salmon farming is a major employer. The government’s stance has been welcomed by industry representatives and local officials, with West Coast Council Mayor Shane Pitt calling it a “major win” for the region.
However, the decision has drawn criticism from conservation groups and opposition figures. Liberal Senator Jonathan Duniam called it a “last-minute political fix”, while Greens Senator Nick McKim said the move “prioritizes corporate profits over the survival of a threatened species.”
The Tasmanian government has reiterated its position that salmon farming and conservation efforts can co-exist, citing the latest research as evidence of environmental stability in the harbour.
