Bob Brown proposes tourist attraction at Strahan in honour of the Maugean skate, the ‘thylacine of the sea’

Bob Brown has proposed that a Maugean skate centre, akin to Beauty Point’s Seahorse World, be built at Strahan. He also wants the skate’s captive breeding program moved there.

Dr Bob Brown. Picture: Chris Kidd

Bob Brown has suggested that the “thylacine of the sea” has a tourist attraction dedicated to it in the place that it is endemic to.

Dr Brown has proposed that a Maugean skate centre be built at Strahan and the breeding program based at Taroona be moved to the proposed tourist attraction.

“Of course, you would have other creatures of the West Coast environment and marine environment of Macquarie Harbour in there as well,” he said.

“It would be a very good visitor attraction, and other marine centres, like the Seahorse Centre at Beauty Point, don’t restrict themselves to just seahorses; there are other things there.

“There’s a lot of federal money flowing, and it just shouldn’t just go into fixing up the mess caused by the industrial fish farming; it should go stimulating good tourism jobs on the West Coast.”

The critically endangered Maugean skate. Picture: File

Dr Brown said the proposed attraction would be like an aquarium.

“It would add to the attractiveness of the West Coast and other things to see there.

“It would also be a very great educational facility for youngsters in an age when the oceans right around the world are in crisis.”

Dr Brown sent a letter to Tanya Plibersek’s office proposing the Maugean skate centre.

On behalf of Ms Plibersek, Threatened Species Coordinator Fiona Fraser responded by outlining all of the actions that were being taken to save the Maugean skate, including the captive breeding program that was taking place at Taroona.

“No decisions have been made with regards to the location of any further facilities,” Dr Fraser said.

“However, while there are many factors to consider, the Australian Government is aware of the benefits for the West Coast community if facilities could be established at Strahan.”

Dr Brown said he was satisfied with the response from Dr Fraser.

“I’m very pleased that the federal government hasn’t closed the door on the idea and left it open,” he said.

“I really think it wouldn’t be too difficult for the state government or private enterprise to get together with the federal government and establish an architecturally beautiful Maugean skate centre on the West Coast.”