Anthony Albanese under pressure over salmon farming in Macquarie Harbour ahead of rumoured visit

Amid whispers of the PM potentially visiting Tasmania’s West Coast, the federal government is being urged to make a decision on the future of salmon farming in Macquarie Harbour.

Tassal salmon pens, in Macquarie Harbour, Strahan, West Coast of Tasmania Picture: MATHEW FARRELL

The high-stakes battle over the future of salmon farming in Macquarie Harbour is showing no signs of abating as the Coalition ramps up its calls on Prime Minister Anthony Albanese to “back this industry” ahead of a rumoured visit to Tasmania.

The debate over whether salmon farming can coexist with the endangered Maugean skate in the harbour – which is the last known habitat of the species – is shaping to be the key Tasmanian issue in the looming federal election campaign.

Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek is still yet to decide whether or not to review environmental approvals for salmon farming in the harbour after receiving a request from conservation groups.

Australia’s Prime Minister Anthony Albanese (R) stands with Minister for the Environment, Tanya Plibersek. (Photo by DAVID GRAY / AFP)

In a clear signal that the Coalition sees an opportunity to hurt Labor’s electoral chances in regional Tasmania by focusing on salmon, Deputy Opposition Leader Sussan Ley visited aquaculture facilities in the state’s North-West on Friday.

It comes just days after Liberal leader Peter Dutton toured a Tassal fish rendering plant at Triabunna and declared that he would not ban salmon farming in Macquarie Harbour even if the Maugean skate’s conservation listing was upgraded to ‘critically endangered’.

Ms Ley said on Friday that the Liberal Party would “always stand up for Tasmania’s salmon industry”.

“We unequivocally back this industry, its workers and the people it supports and feeds,” she said.

“Tonight the Prime Minister apparently flies here into Tassie. He’s also around tomorrow. The challenge for him is clear: immediately issue this same guarantee.”

Deputy Opposition Leader Sussan Ley at Huon Aquaculture processing facility. Picture: Supplied

There are believed to be about 1000 Maugean skates remaining in the wild and scientists advising the federal government on threatened species have recommended that salmon farming either be drastically scaled back in Macquarie Harbour or suspended entirely in order to save the skate from extinction.

In a report published in August this year, the Threatened Species Scientific Committee found that salmon farming represented the biggest threat to the skate’s survival.

Bob Brown Foundation Antarctic and marine campaigner Alistair Allan, who is also the Greens candidate for Lyons, said if the Prime Minister was visiting the West Coast, he should announce he will “protect the Maugean skate at Macquarie Harbour and keep his government’s promise of no new extinctions”.

“I’m incredibly concerned that this has already dragged out far too long. The Maugean skate is on the edge of extinction,” Mr Allan said.

Bob Brown Foundation Antarctic and marine campaigner Alistair Allan. Picture: Chris Kidd

“This is an animal in crisis, and this is a harbour in crisis, and to delay [the decision], as I think [the government is] trying to do, especially for political gain, is just … appalling.”

The salmon industry has pushed back against claims it is the greatest threat to the Maugean skate, saying gillnet fishing, climate change, the impacts of historic mining operations, and inflows from Hydro Tasmania power stations are also to blame for reduced oxygen levels in the harbour.

The Prime Minister’s Office was contacted for comment.

Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry Minister Julie Collins said on Sunday that advice and information regarding Macquarie Harbour and the Maugean skate would be provided to Ms Plibersek by her department “in due course” and she would then make a decision.

Originally published as Anthony Albanese under pressure over salmon farming in Macquarie Harbour ahead of rumoured visit