Premier says environmentalists hellbent on shutting down fish farms, mines, tourism and forestry

Premier Jeremy Rockliff says environmentalists “would stop at nothing” to shut down the state’s salmon, tourism, mining and forestry industries – placing thousands of jobs at risk.

Premier Jeremy Rockliff Picture: Nikki Davis-Jones

Premier Jeremy Rockliff says environmentalists “would stop at nothing” to shut down the state’s salmon, tourism, mining and forestry industries – placing thousands of jobs at risk.

Mr Rockliff’s comments came during a speech to the inaugural AquaTAS event, a half-day forum showcasing the Tasmanian salmon aquaculture industry at Hobart’s Wrest Point on Friday.

The Premier pledged his unconditional and undying support for the industry.

“Let me say from the outset there is no stronger supporter of the Tasmanian salmon industry than the Tasmanian Liberal Government,” he said.

“We back you and we always will.

“Over the last 40 years, the industry has worked hard to become a leader in innovation and an incredibly important contributor to the Tasmania economy.

“This time last week I was meeting with the Federal Environment Minister and make our position very clear.

“I made it clear the Federal Government needs to back the industry in Macquarie Harbour.”

Conservationists have called for federal environment minister Tanya Plibersek end salmon farming in the harbour because of what they say is an unacceptable impact on the endangered Maugean skate.

Mr Rockliff said the salmon farming contributed to 400 jobs on the west and northwest coasts, 2,000 direct and indirect jobs in the Huon Valley and even more further afield.

“The Greens and other mainland-funded environmental groups will stop at nothing to destroy Tasmanian business, and they have salmon workers in their sights,” he said.

“First, it’s Macquarie Harbour. Then, it will be the whole salmon industry. Then tourism. Then mining. Then their final blow to forestry.”

The speech came as the government released fresh data showing an improvement in environmental conditions in Macquarie Harbour.

Minister for Parks and Environment, Nick Duigan said EPA scientists have found the dissolved oxygen levels are now close to the range observed prior to 2010 when they began to decline.

“It’s clear that industry and research investment in remediation of dissolved oxygen levels in the harbour, along with EPA regulation of the industry is effective and working,” Mr Duigan said.

“The Tasmanian Government firmly believes that the Maugean skate and the salmon industry can continue to coexist.

Environment Tasmania senior marine campaigner Rebecca Howarth said the government was only telling part of the story.

“On closer examination of the EPA report, monitoring shows the dissolved oxygen levels within the Central Harbour and south-east section of the harbour located within the World Heritage Area at the mid to bottom layers – the Maugean skate’s habitat – still remain in the ‘red’ zone’.”