The recommendations come as the federal environment minister, Tanya Plibersek, reconsiders the future of salmon farm licenses in Macquarie Harbour.
The Australian government’s scientific advisors have recommended either significantly reducing or entirely removing the salmon farming industry from Tasmania’s Macquarie Harbour to protect the critically endangered Maugean skate.
The advice, detailed in a report by the government’s threatened species scientific committee, identifies salmon farming as the greatest threat to the survival of the ancient ray-like species, which is found only in the harbour.
More than 65% support salmon farming in Tasmania finds survey
The committee’s report estimates that only 40 to 120 adult Maugean skates remain in the wild, with the population projected to decline by 25% in the next generation. The report emphasizes the need to address degraded water quality in the harbour, primarily due to reduced levels of dissolved oxygen, a problem attributed to the salmon farming industry.
The recommendations come as the federal environment minister, Tanya Plibersek, reconsiders the future of salmon farm licenses in Macquarie Harbour. The decision follows a legal challenge by environmental groups, arguing that the 2012 expansion of the industry was not properly approved.
The committee’s call to scale back the industry is expected to face opposition from Tasmania’s Liberal and Labor parties, both of which strongly support the $1.3 billion salmon industry. Macquarie Harbour, which accounts for about 13% of Tasmanian salmon production, is considered a vital hub and employer on the state’s remote west coast.
The report also suggests exploring mechanical methods to improve dissolved oxygen levels, better management of river flows into the harbour, and continuing the captive breeding program for the Maugean skate. Public submissions on whether the skate’s status should be upgraded from endangered to critically endangered are being accepted until September 26.
