Tasmanian government fumes over federal review of salmon farming at Macquarie Harbour

Tasmania’s Resources Minister has launched a furious tirade at the federal government over a newly announced review of salmon farming operations on the state’s West Coast.

A political brawl is threatening to erupt over the salmon industry’s future on the West Coast after federal Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek announced a review of aquaculture operations in the region amid a fight to protect the endangered Maugean skate.

Ms Plibersek announced on Thursday that the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water would soon begin a consultation process regarding salmon farming in Macquarie Harbour, as concerns mount over dwindling skate numbers in the species’ last known habitat.

Resources Minister Felix Ellis described the review as a “deeply troubling development” and claimed Prime Minister Anthony Albanese had made an “offer of compensation for workers on the West Coast” in a letter to Premier Jeremy Rockliff.

The Mercury understands the letter, which was sent on Wednesday, made no explicit mention of financial compensation in the wake of the review.

A decision on the salmon industry’s future is still yet to be made and Mr Albanese is understood to have offered to discuss opportunities for the broader region with the West Coast Council, the industry and community representatives.

Tassal salmon pens, in Macquarie Harbour, Strahan, West Coast of Tasmania. Picture: MATHEW FARRELL

Mr Ellis said any “threat” to the salmon industry was “completely unacceptable and Tasmania will fight [against it] tooth and nail if that’s what it takes”.

“We need to send a message loud and clear as Tasmanians that we will not accept a federal government meddling for Green votes in the inner city when we’re talking about the livelihoods of hundreds of good people, who are making a life in a town on the West Coast and helping to feed the world,” he said.

The Australia Institute, the Bob Brown Foundation and the Environmental Defenders Office have all requested that the government review whether the industry has the necessary environmental approvals to operate in the area.

The groups argue the skate is being killed off as a result of salmon farming in the harbour. There are believed to be fewer than 1000 of the skates left in the wild.

Felix Ellis MP.

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

Ms Plibersek said the consultation, which will run from December 4 until February 2, was a requirement under national environmental laws and would allow the industry, affected communities, scientists, environmental groups and state and local governments to have their say on the matter.

“After the consultation period ends, the department will take some time to carefully consider the information received,” she said.

“Salmon farming in Macquarie Harbour does not have to pause while this occurs.”

Ms Plibersek said earlier this month that a pause on salmon farming would be required in the event of such a review.

Minister for the Environment and Water Tanya Plibersek. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Martin Ollman

Australia Institute Tasmania director Eloise Carr said the minister was “acting inconsistently with her own department’s advice” by refusing to pause salmon industry operations while the consultation was undertaken.

“The advice identified urgent actions that should be implemented prior to summer 2023 to ensure the species does not go extinct,” she said.

“Eliminating or significantly reducing the impacts of salmon farming on dissolved oxygen concentrations is the top priority and the fastest and simplest way to achieve this is by significantly reducing fish biomass.”

West Coast Mayor Shane Pitt said the announcement of the review was a “real kick in the guts”.

“Further salmon biomass reductions will put 25 per cent of jobs in Strahan at risk, dislocate families from their communities, cause a rapid decline in house prices, and likely lead to local medical and education services becoming unviable,” he said.

Ms Plibersek’s announcement came on the same day the Environment Protection Authority (EPA), which is responsible for administering aquaculture licences in Tasmania, revealed it had decided to renew the 10 salmon farming leases at Macquarie Harbour for a period of two years.

Maugean skate.

The EPA said it had imposed new environmental conditions on the licences, including a requirement for licence-holders to submit dissolved oxygen consumption reports and mitigation plans, as well as water quality monitoring plans.

Salmon Tasmania CEO Luke Martin welcomed the EPA’s decision and said it was “positive” that Ms Plibersek had not ordered a pause on aquaculture while the review was conducted.

“We are confident the science, contemporary operating procedures and regulatory oversight by the EPA will provide the evidence needed to ensure the industry can continue in the harbour for many years to come and support other initiatives like the breeding program recently announced to ensure the continuation of the Maugean skate in Macquarie Harbour,” he said.