The Tasmanian Government welcomes the Commonwealth’s commitment to improving the health of Macquarie Harbour on Tasmania’s West Coast and providing funding for important work with the Maugean skate.
Minister for the Environment, Madeleine Ogilvie, said the Prime Minister’s announcement will build on the existing work that is already underway through the Tasmanian Government’s Skate Recovery Fund, as well as the positive work being done in the waterway as part of the Maugean skate comprehensive Conservation Action Plan.
“Recent studies by the Environment Protection Authority have already found the highest dissolved oxygen levels in a decade in Macquarie Harbour, which demonstrates our efforts are making a difference,” Minister Ogilvie said.
“This followed the latest IMAS report that disputed previous predictions of catastrophic Maugean skate population decline, with juvenile skate numbers consistent with levels recorded in a 2014 baseline study.
“The Tasmanian Government is considering the latest data and continues to engage with key stakeholders on a range of actions to minimise threats to the Maugean skate, while backing in our sustainable salmon industry.
The Tasmanian Government has been firm that salmon farming can co-exist with the Maugean skate in Macquarie Harbour, and our 2030 Strong Plan for Tasmania’s Future continue to back our world-class industry and the thousands of jobs it underpins in our regions.
We remain firm that there is no case for Labor to consider reviewing salmon activities and urge Minister Plibersek to make the right decision for Macquarie Harbour.
