Media release – Environment Tasmania, 29 October 2024,
Minister must act now, regardless of uplisting delay for Maugean Skate
Overnight the Australian Government quietly published an extension for assessing whether the ancient Maugean skate should be uplisted from Endangered to Critically Endangered. The assessment was due this Wednesday 30th October 2024, but has now been delayed until 30th Oct 2025.
Only an estimated 40 to 120 adult Maugean skates remain in Macquarie Harbour. The endangered skate is found nowhere else on earth.
Kelly Roebuck, Environment Tasmania Vice Chair said, “This delay, while extremely unfortunate, does not change the fact that the best available independent science indicates the Maugean skate could be extinct in less than 10 years. Nor does it change the fact that the science clearly identifies salmon farming as the primary threat to the skate.”
The Environment Minister is currently reviewing the decision that allowed salmon farming to expand in the harbour in 2012.
“The Minister must act now. A species that teeters on the brink of extinction can’t afford another year of politics,” said Roebuck.
Media release – Bob Brown Foundation, 29 October 2024
Federal Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek is sending the Maugean Skate to extinction.
The Bob Brown Foundation condemns today’s appalling announcement that Federal Environment Minister, Tanya Plibersek, is delaying any decision regarding fish farming in Macquarie Harbour another full 12 months until October 2025. This delay comes after a full year has passed since the environment minister agreed to reconsider the approval of fish farming in the harbour.
Minister Plibersek has broken her promised “no new extinctions” to the Australian public.
“There are an estimated 40-120 Adult Maugean skates remaining in the wild, with fish farming confirmed to have a catastrophic impact on their survival. Without fish farms being removed, the Federal Environment minister is playing Russian roulette with an animal that has been on the planet for millions of years,” said Alistair Allan, Antarctic and Marine campaigner at the Bob Brown Foundation.
“It should outrage everyone in Australia that this government is happy to condemn a species to possible extinction at the behest of massive multi-national corporations,” said Alistair Allan.
“Just last week, some of the country’s most respected scientists called on the Environment Minister to immediately remove fish farms from the harbour, an action that was recommended by her department to be done by the summer of 23/24, instead Tanya Plibersek has decided to do absolutely nothing,” said Alistair Allan.
“Minister Plibersek is ignoring her role as Environment Minister while we are seeing a global extinction crisis. Plibersek is potentially putting the decision off to someone else, post Federal Election we doubt she will be the Environment Minister anymore,” said Alistair Allan.
“The science is and has been absolutely clear, if the Maugean Skate has any chance of survival, fish farms must be removed from the Harbour,” said Alistair Allan.
Media release – Neighbours of Fish Farming, 29 October 2024
NOFF regrets delay on Maugean skate threat
“Maugean skate: the first species in history to be researched into extinction?’
The delay by Commonwealth scientists in considering whether the Maugean skate in Macquarie Harbour should be listed as “critically endangered” must not be used as an excuse for Environment Minister, Tanya Plibersek, to delay a decision on removing the salmon industry from the waterway.
“The minister’s responsibility to protect the skate and Australia’s international obligations to prevent its extinction are in no way diminished by the latest development,” says Peter George, president of NOFF.
“The scientists’ overwhelming consensus remains that the minister needs to act ‘urgently’ on the major threat to the skate’s existence and that’s the impact of polluting salmon feedlots. The scientists warn of ‘catastrophic’ consequences if she fails to act.
“It would be a dereliction of duty if the Minister delays her decision any longer, particularly if she thinks she can delay it until after the Federal election due by May. That would be a cynical political exercise at the expense of a 60-million-year old animal that exists only in Macquarie Harbour.
“At this rate, the Maugean skate may well end up as the first animal in history to have been researched into extinction.
“A rapid decision “as soon as practical” is required by the EPBC Act and is in the best interests of Tasmania and the west coast community but must not be made as a result of the bullying of the salmon industry’s overseas owners.”
The Minister’s department reports, “The assessment timeframe [for the uplisting of Maugean skate] … has been extended from 30 October 2024 to 30 October 2025 to enable enough time to consider public comments and to finalise the assessment.”
Media release – Australian Greens, 29 October, 2024
Labor’s politics of pollution fueling wildlife wipeout: Greens
The Federal Environment Minister is presiding over a wildlife wipeout in Australia by failing to protect endangered species from extinction, including failing to meet her own deadline to protect the Maugean skate by stalling a decision until after the election.
The ancient species of skate is sliding towards extinction due to the toxic Atlantic salmon farming industry, with less than 120 adult Maugean skate remaining in the wild.
Quotes attributable to Greens Senator for Tasmania Nick McKim:
“Labor has today chosen multinational corporate profits over the survival of one of the world’s most unique creatures.”
“The science shows Macquarie Harbour is unsuitable for industrial salmon farming. The way to give the Maugean Skate the best chance of survival is for the Minister to evict toxic salmon farms out of Macquarie Harbour.”
“She has the power, and has all the science she needs to make that decision today.”
“This is a cowardly political decision by the Minister which prioritises corporate profits over the survival of an ancient species.”
“Delaying a decision until after the next election risks handing the future of the Maugean Skate into the hands of a Dutton government minister. We all know how that would end.”
“If the Maugean skate slides into extinction Tanya Plibersek will have blood on her hands.”
“Let’s be clear: if Peter Dutton becomes Prime Minister, this ancient species has no chance. A Dutton Minister won’t rein in the salmon industry one bit – it’s a death warrant for the skate.”
“Successive governments and the salmon industry have misled Tasmania’s regional communities for years, overstating the viability of salmon farming in Macquarie Harbour.
“It’s well past time to transition workers into sustainable industries that don’t come at the cost of our environment and endangered species.”
Greens Senator Sarah Hanson-Young is spokesperson for the Environment & Senator for South Australia:
“This delay is a coward’s decision – putting politics ahead of nature.
“Tasmania’s salmon industry is toxic and is wiping out the precious Maugean Skate while the Albanese Government panders to polluters in an election year.
“By kicking the can down the road past the election, the Environment Minister is putting politics and pollution before environmental protection. The Minister has failed to meet the deadline and is failing to halt extinctions here in Tasmania and across Australia.
“Tomorrow, almost 50 other threatened species and ecological communities are due for a conservation assessment decision from the Environment Minister. This is the state of the environment in Australia: more extinctions, habitat destruction and wildlife wipeouts.
“I urge the Albanese Government to work with the Greens to pass stronger environment laws to protect endangered species, stop native forest logging and safeguard the climate for our kids.”
Media release – Australian Marine Conservation Society and Humane Society International Australia, 29 October 2024
Maugean skate can’t wait for election to save it from extinction
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Federal government pushes back decision to list Maugean skate as Critically Endangered by a year, purportedly to consider submissions
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Only 40-120 adult Maugean skates left in its only home, Macquarie Harbour
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Maugean skate is just one extreme weather event away from extinction – an upturning of deep, oxygen-depleted waters wiped out nearly half the population in 2019
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Removing salmon farming is the fastest way to improve oxygen levels for the skate to survive and recover
The Maugean skate can not wait another year to be listed as Critically Endangered and gain increased protection to save it from extinction in its only home in Tasmania’s Macquarie Harbour, the Australian Marine Conservation Society (AMCS) and Humane Society International Australia (HSI Australia) said after federal Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek announced a listing decision would be pushed back a year – until after the next federal election.
The government has said that the 12-month postponement was needed to consider all the submissions made in response to the draft Conservation Advice that recommended the Maugean skate be listed as Critically Endangered and that the salmon farms responsible for the low levels of oxygen in Macquarie Harbour be removed.
AMCS shark expert Dr Leonardo Guida said: “Blind Freddy can see that the Maugean skate is on the brink of extinction and should be listed as Critically Endangered. There are only an estimated 40-120 mature skates left in the oxygen-depleted waters of Macquarie Harbour and another extreme weather event could wipe out the population.
“An upturning of deep, oxygen-depleted waters caused by storms in 2019 contributed to the wiping out of half the Maugean skate population, and oxygen levels in Macquarie Harbour are still low. At depths of 5-15 metres where the skate lives, oxygen levels have changed little since 2017, and in some cases are worse. Any introduced skates from the breeding program will face the same extreme conditions these last remaining adults face if Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek doesn’t act immediately and remove salmon farming from the harbour.
“There is already an abundance of scientific information about the plight of the Maugean skate in Macquarie Harbour, including estimates of as few as 40 mature adults left, so it’s difficult to fathom how an environment minister would need a whole year to decide if the species is Critically Endangered or not. The delay does not come close to passing the pub test.
“Salmon farming has dramatically depleted the oxygen levels in Macquarie Harbour, and removing salmon farming is the fastest way to improve oxygen levels for the skate to survive and recover.
“Salmon stocks in Macquarie Harbour peaked in 2015 at about 20,000 tonnes – the equivalent mass of about 10,000 SUVs – but the salmon industry has not reduced biomass far enough for the Maugean skate to survive.
HSI Australia marine biologist Lawrence Chlebeck said: “The Albanese government made a commitment to zero new extinctions. The Maugean skate is one of 110 identified priority threatened species, so why is Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek not prioritising a listing decision under the federal environment laws?
“We are calling on Minister Plibersek to urgently list the species as Critically Endangered, and remove salmon biomass from the harbour to meet the Australian Government’s commitment to the skate’s survival.
“Macquarie Harbour is part of Tasmania’s World Heritage Area and integral to the state’s reputation for natural beauty and conservation. The extinction of the Maugean skate would be a devastating blow to Australia’s biodiversity and to Tasmania’s brand and natural heritage.”
Media release – Eric Abetz, Minister for Business, Industry and Resources, 30 October 2024
Another Labor betrayal of regional Tasmania
Federal Labor’s latest decision to kick the can down the road for another year on whether the Maugean skate’s conservation status should be changed reeks of inner-city politics and is a kick in the guts for west coast workers.
Why won’t the Labor Party accept the most recent science and stand up for the west coast?
Our very own world-leading researchers at IMAS have announced the Maugean skate population trend is stable.
Tasmanians are rightly concerned this latest non-action on the skate is simply cover for Federal Environment Minister Plibersek’s long-awaited decision on Macquarie Harbour salmon approvals – with both set to be conveniently delayed until after next year’s federal election.
Where is Labor leader Dean Winter in all this?
Dean Winter claims to stand for jobs, but he cannot distance himself from this anti-job decision made by the Labor party.
It’s time for Mr Winter to move from talk to action on jobs, pick up the phone to Minister Plibersek and join the Tasmanian Liberals in advocating for regional jobs and families.
Media release – Bob Brown Foundation, 30 October 2024
National day of Action against Woolworths – Save the Maugean Skate
Today, around the country protests will be held at 10 different Woolworths stores, calling on the supermarket giant to stop selling Tasmanian farmed salmon from Macquarie Harbour. Farmed salmon from Macquarie Harbour is responsible for pushing the Maugean skate to the edge of extinction.
The day of action comes one day before the Woolworths Annual General Meeting, where a shareholder resolution to cease procuring salmon from Macquarie Harbour will be voted on by shareholders.
The Bob Brown Foundation is demanding Woolworths stop driving the Maugean skate to extinction immediately.
Sydney
Where: Sydney Town Hall Woolworths
When: 12pm
Who: Alistair Allan, Bob Brown Foundation Antarctic and Marine Campaigner
Melbourne
Where: Melbourne Fitzroy Woolworths (Smith St)
When: 12pm
Who: Margherita Mezzasoma, Bob Brown Foundation National community organiser
Hobart
Where: Sandy Bay Woolworths
When: 12pm
Who: Jenny Weber, Bob Brown Foundation Campaign Manager
Other protest locations:
1. Woolworths Ashgrove QLD ( 16 Ashgrove Ave)
2. Woolworths Devonport TAS (74 Best Street)
3. Woolworths Dickson ACT (1 Dickson Place)
4. Woolworths Merimbula NSW ( 72/68 -76 Main Street)
5. Woolworths Rundle Mall SA ( 80-88 Rundle Mall)
6. Woolworths Subiaco Square WA ( 29 Station Street)
7. Woolworths Wynyard TAS ( 68 Goldie Street)
Ben Marshall
October 30, 2024 at 16:42
Those wondering at Erica’s sudden interest in science, a field of human endeavour he normally rejects as ‘woke’, might like to take his comment in the context of the statement released by IMAS:
“Data collected between 2021 and September 2024 suggest the population may be stabilising after a decline reported over a decade leading up to 2020.
“Although the population remains significantly lower than historical levels, catch per unit effort data – a standard measure of relative abundance – shows the skate population has stabilised since 2021 and there has been no overall further decline,” said IMAS researcher and Maugean skate captive breeding program leader Professor Jayson Semmens.
“It takes approximately six years for Maugean skate hatchlings to reach maturity, so while immediate recovery of adult biomass is not expected, the presence of juveniles at a similar proportion relative to adults in the sampling as we were seeing in 2014 is a positive sign. Continued monitoring will be crucial to understanding the long-term trajectory of the species.”
While the skate remains endangered, IMAS researcher Dr David Moreno said it was too early to predict long-term outcomes and stressed the importance of ongoing research and monitoring to guide effective conservation efforts. “Additional data are needed to determine whether the observed presence of young skates will lead to a sustained recovery,” Dr Moreno said.
He added “Updated population models and action plans are needed to ensure the species’ survival in Macquarie Harbour, its last remaining habitat. The extended dataset and early signs of stabilisation in the population underline the critical need for ongoing support and monitoring efforts, which will be pivotal in guiding effective conservation efforts for the Maugean skate.”
So, bottom line, the skate’s numbers are low, it’s endangered and possibly critically endangered. The only thing Erica gets right is disgust for Federal Labor’s gutless and unprincipled refusal to call for action to save the skate.
Ted Mead
October 31, 2024 at 20:18
Being a conservationist is a highly frustrating predisposition, and disillusion often arises.
This Labor abeyance of responsibility is not about having the scientific facts at hand. It is all about politicians’ fear of voter backlash in a marginal seat. Making a decision regarding the future of the Maugean skate is shrouded by paranoid politicians not wanting to announce a decision before an election. So much then, for Labor’s policy regarding no more extinctions.
There is a fair chance that the threat of withdrawing political donations has been waved around. This is how politics seemingly operates everywhere these days.