Bob Brown Foundation protesters slammed for putting aquaculture staff ‘in significant danger’

The Maugean skate debate continues to heat up as protesters trespass a salmon farm to put up a sign demanding more be done to save the endangered species that is endemic to Macquarie Harbour. But the action has been slammed by the industry.

Bob Brown Foundation activists putting a banner up on a salmon pen in Macquarie Harbour. Picture: Supplied.

Salmon Tasmania has slammed the Bob Brown Foundation (BBF) following the group’s protest on Macquarie Harbour.

On Tuesday, two BBF activists put a banner on a salmon pen in the harbour, which said “save the Maugean skate”.

The skate, which is endemic to Macquarie Harbour, has recently been the subject of fierce debate, as the species is close to extinction.

Environmental groups like BBF have pointed the finger at salmon farming as the reason for the skate’s declining numbers.

But the aquaculture industry says the reduced oxygen level in Macquarie Harbour is due to various factors, such as climate change and river flows.

BBF Antarctic and marine campaigner Alistair Allan said he hoped the protest sent a clear message that the Maugean skate should not be left to go extinct.

Luke Martin, Salmon Tasmania chief. Picture: Nikki Davis-Jones

“We are here today to remind [Environment Minister] Tanya Plibersek that she made a promise to the Australian public that there would be no new extinctions on her watch,” said Mr Allan.

“Tanya Plibersek’s own department listed removing or significantly reducing fish farm biomass as the number one priority before summer arrives, to give the Maugean skate a chance of survival.

“In 2012, the condition of the environmental approval to expand fish farming in the harbour was that it must not impact the Maugean skate.

“We now know unequivocally that it is.

Mr Allen said nothing had been done to remove the impact fish farms had on the skate.

“With dead fish seen floating in the pens, this is a grim warning of what might transpire for the Maugean Skate this summer.”

They called for Ms Plibersek to “urgently remove all fish farms from Macquaire Harbour”.

“She cannot allow the world’s first extinction caused by aquaculture to occur on her watch,” Mr Allan said.

Salmon Tasmania CEO Luke Martin condemned the protest.

“The trespass action in Macquarie Harbour by BBF activists put our staff, our livestock and the activists themselves in significant danger,” Mr Martin said.

“It would seem however that the BBF staff achieved what they set out to do, create a photo opportunity for social media.

“Now that they have achieved this, it is time for BBF to consider the significant risks of sending unskilled and inexperienced activists into an operational marine farm environment.”

Mr Martin said the salmon industry was providing a science-based solution to save the Maugean skate.

“The $6 million co-investment into the Macquarie Harbour Oxygenation Program follows the science to ensure we do our part as we continue to care for the health of the harbour.

“Perhaps BBF could focus less on fundraising stunts and more on asking others, like Hydro and mining, what they are doing right now to protect the Maugean skate.”

Originally published as Bob Brown Foundation protesters slammed for putting aquaculture staff ‘in significant danger’