Jacqui Lambie Network’s Tammy Tyrrell says Strahan school will close if salmon industry paused

A Tasmanian senator has used a speech in parliament to caution the federal government against pausing the salmon industry in Macquarie Harbour, claiming aquaculture isn’t to blame for the decline of the Maugean skate. What she said.

Tammy Tyrrell of the Jacqui Lambie Network. Picture: Rob Burnett / The Australian

Tasmanian independent senator Tammy Tyrrell has called on Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek to “find out what is really killing” the endangered Maugean skate, warning that a pause on the salmon industry in Macquarie Harbour would result in the closure of a local school.

In a speech delivered in the federal parliament on Wednesday, Senator Tyrrell, of the Jacqui Lambie Network, said the West Coast of Tasmania was “at risk” after Ms Plibersek signalled that the Albanese government may need to halt aquaculture operations in the harbour to protect the skate.

“The Environment Minister thinks reducing fish farming in Macquarie Harbour is the answer, but has she thought about what that means for people on the West Coast?” Senator Tyrrell said.

“Strahan Primary [School] says that if fish farming leaves Macquarie Harbour, it will ‘decimate the school.’ If the farms go, the school goes. And five-year-olds will then have to travel an hour each way on the bus to the next closest school.”

Tasmanian Senator Tammy Tyrrell. Picture: Peter Mathew

Senator Tyrrell said a pause on salmon operations would also have a negative impact on the doctor’s surgery and pharmacy at Strahan, as well as other local businesses.

“Fish farming jobs pay well – they put a roof over people’s heads and food on the table. If these jobs go from the West Coast, they won’t be replaced. Families will have to leave to find work,” she said.

Ms Plibersek wrote to Premier Jeremy Rockliff on Monday, telling him a review of environmental approvals for salmon farming in the harbour could soon be undertaken, which would require a “pause” on aquaculture in the area.

Maugean skate.

The last known population of the Maugean skate is in Macquarie Harbour and there are believed to be fewer than 1000 left in the wild.

Salmon farming, gillnet fishing, climate change and inflows from Hydro Tasmania power stations have been blamed for reduced oxygen levels in the harbour – the key factor behind the skate’s decline.

Senator Tyrrell said the federal government “owe it to the people of the West Coast, and the Maugean skate, to finish the science and find out what is really killing the skate”.

Bob Brown Foundation Fish farm campaigner Alistair Allan. Picture: Chris Kidd

But Bob Brown Foundation Antarctic and marine campaigner Alistair Allan said the science behind the skate’s demise was “unequivocal”.

“The science is clear – fish farms must be removed from Macquarie Harbour,” he said.

“Federal environment minister, Tanya Plibersek, made a promise of no new extinctions. The Australian public expects her to keep that promise and save the Maugean skate.”