Greens say ending fish farming the only way to save endangered Maugean skate

The only way to protect the endangered Maugean skate was to completely shut down aquaculture in Macquarie Harbour, the Greens and conservation groups say.

Maugean skate, an endangered species photographed in Macquarie Harbour.

The only way to protect the endangered Maugean skate was to completely shut down aquaculture in Macquarie Harbour, the Greens and conservation groups say.

Two of the four skates removed from the harbour as part of a captive breeding program have died.

There are estimated to be fewer than 1,000 of the skates left in the wild.

Greens leader Rosalie Woodruff said the loss of the skates was a tough blow to the program.

“This tragedy reinforces the scientific evidence – industrial fish farming in Macquarie Harbour must end for the skate to have the best chance of survival,’ Dr Woodruff said.

“This ancient species has lived since the time of the dinosaurs but is now on the brink of extinction thanks to industrial fish farming.

Greens leader Rosalie Woodruff speaks to the media on parliament Lawns in Hobart on Tuesday, January 16, 2024.

“For the Maugean skate to survive, we need to immediately act to protect and restore its habitat – Macquarie Harbour.”

Premier Jeremy Rockliff said it was important to balance competing interests.

“It’s all about sustainability: it’s all about supporting industry to grow and thrive, but also being mindful of the surrounds and the environment of which the industry is contained within and the importance about the Maugean skate,” he said.

“We’re spending $2.1 million as a state government to support that research and every bit of research counts.

“And while the mortality statistics to date are concerning, we’re learning all the time.

“This is about ensuring that we learn, that’s what research and development is about — it’s about learning and it’s also about ensuring the sustainability of what is a very important industry for Tasmania.”

Bob Brown Foundation Antarctic and Marine Campaigner Alistair Allan echoed the Green’s call for an end to fish farming in Macquarie Harbour.

“It really can’t be more serious – an animal is about to go extinct, and a captive breeding program is not the golden solution,” he said.

“If Federal Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek is to have any chance of keeping her promise of no new extinctions she must remove fish farms from Macquarie Harbour.

“So far, all that has happened to save the skate is the industry tinkering with unproven toys and the government attempting to create a threatened species zoo, which is now experiencing a 50 per cent death rate.

“The answer to saving the Maugean Skate is clear – fish farms have to go.”

Originally published as Greens say ending fish farming the only way to save endangered Maugean skate