‘Politicking and scapegoating’: Salmon industry spokesman slams Maugean skate protest action

A salmon industry spokesman has spoken out in defence of aquaculture science in Macquarie Harbour, following a “Save the Skate” campaign launched by activists.

A billboard about Tasmania's Maugean skate will be erected by environmentalists outside federal environment minister Tanya Plibersek's office. Picture: Neighbours of Fish Farming

A salmon industry spokesman has spoken out in defence of aquaculture science in Macquarie Harbour, following a “Save the Skate” campaign launched by activists.

On Monday morning, Neighbours of Fish Farming (NOFF) erected a “very in-your-face” billboard outside Federal Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek’s Sydney office.

The 3mx4m sign reads: “The Maugean Skate: Labor’s First Extinction” and “Remove toxic Tassie salmon from Macquarie Harbour”.

Luke Martin is the chief executive of Salmon Tasmania. Picture: Alastair Bett

But Salmon Tasmania CEO Luke Martin slammed the protest activity, saying NOFF was “politicking and scapegoating” and “using the skate as an opportunistic stalking horse to shut the industry”.

He said aquaculture was only one factor affecting the health of the skate’s last remaining home at Macquarie Harbour – and that climate change, gillnet fishing, hydro damming, historic mining sediment also played a part.

“Aquaculture is just one factor, yet we are also the only industry taking action investing millions into a major oxygenation project, to test whether this technology can better stabilise dissolved oxygen levels in the harbour,” he said.

“We have complete confidence in the science that underpins Tasmanian salmon aquaculture and the regulation that makes us world leaders on sustainability”.

Tas activist mounts Maugean skate banner outside Plibersek’s office

In the early hours of Monday morning, a Tasmanian environmentalist will mount a “very in-your-face” billboard outside Tanya Plibersek’s Sydney office.

The 3mx4m billboard outside the federal environment minister’s office will read: “The Maugean Skate: Labor’s First Extinction” and “Remove toxic Tassie salmon from Macquarie Harbour”.

It comes as Ms Plibersek has revealed that 50 skate eggs laid in captivity will start hatching as of August and will be returned, with 18 baby skates, to their sole home on Tasmania’s west coast.

It is believed there are fewer than 1000 Maugean skates left in the wild.

The billboard action, by Neighbours of Fish Farming (NOFF) member Jess Coughlan, is aimed at urging the Minister to “act urgently to protect the skate and live up to her undertaking of ‘no extinctions’ on her watch”.

It is believed there are fewer than 1000 Maugean skates – which now only live in Macquarie Harbour – left in the wild, with the species at high risk of extinction due to drops in dissolved oxygen levels in its habitat.

Salmon farms, gillnet fishing, climate change, weather events and inflows from Hydro Tasmania power stations have been blamed for the reduced oxygen levels.

Following a request from environment groups, Ms Plibersek is currently considering the renewal of salmon farm licences in the harbour.

NOFF says the minister’s decision needs to happen now.

“We want to remind her and prompt her into acting as soon as possible,” NOFF president Peter George told the Mercury.

“There’s no time to wait. It’s essential to act now and she needs to act promptly.

“What’s happening in Macquarie Harbour is clearly unsustainable.”

Neighbours of Fish Farming campaigner Jess Coughlan and president Peter George. Picture: Chris Kidd

Mr George said the “large”, “very in-your-face” billboard would be erected in Cleveland Street – one of the main thoroughfares of Redfern, Sydney.

After erecting the sign on Monday morning, Ms Coughlan will then hold a “Save the Skate” campaign event outside the minister’s office with other environmentalists.

Ms Plibersek says her decision needed to be legally sound and based on evidence, and that would take time.

She said her office was currently making its way through more than 2500 submissions.

In the meantime, Ms Plibersek told the Mercury the federal government was “not sitting on our hands” and had invested extra funds into the captive breeding program.

“I’m pleased to report that the government-funded program is helping save the Maugean Skate. Eighteen baby skates have hatched and over 50 new eggs have been laid in captivity,” she said.

“The eggs are on track to start hatching from early August and scientists are planning for the skates born in captivity to be returned to their rehabilitated habitat in Macquarie Harbour.”

Federal Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek is still considering a review into environmental approvals for salmon faming in Macquarie Harbour. Picture: NCA NewsWire/Martin Ollman

Salmon Tasmania chief executive Luke Martin previously said the industry was “in the dark” about environmental approvals for aquaculture in Macquarie Harbour, as Ms Plibersek continued to weigh her options.

He said the industry was “very confident in the science and the conditions on our operations” in Macquarie Harbour, but the uncertainty was “hurting” workers and communities.

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