October 2, 2024

 

Tasmania, Australia salmon farmers point to little farming impact on Maugean skate numbers in Macquarie Harbour, referring to data

 

 

 

Salmon farmers in Tasmania, Australia, have said new research shows that the country's federal environment minister, Tanya Plibersek, would be wrong to ban them from operating in Macquarie Harbour to save an endangered species of skate.

 

Data released on September 24 indicates the Maugean skate population has stabilised and there are as many juveniles in Macquarie Harbour today as there were 10 years ago.

 

The University of Tasmania's Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies (IMAS) research found that the population of the skate – which is only found in the Harbour - stabilised in 2021, with no overall further decline in the three years since. It also found an increased presence of young Maugean skates, at 2014 levels, labelling the findings a "positive sign" and a "ray of hope" for the future of the skate.

 

 

Luke Martin, chief executive of producers' organisation Salmon Tasmania, said that the new IMAS research, coming on top of data from Tasmania's Environment Protection Authority (EPA) indicating water conditions in the Harbour have recovered to the best levels in over a decade, confirmed it would be a very unreasonable response by Plibersek to consider shutting down salmon aquaculture in Macquarie Harbour.

 

"As an industry, we have never shied away from concerns about the Maugean skate, and indeed, we have invested heavily in the scientific research and analysis that is now shaping the conservation response to ensure the future of the species in Macquarie Harbour," said Martin. "We have also consistently said we expect all regulatory decisions made about our industry's presence in the harbour to be based on science, and not political agendas, or in response to pressure from single-minded activist groups.

 

"Today, we have further science that confirms the Maugean skate population stabilised three years ago and that the number of juveniles is at a decade high. This follows science from the independent EPA… that showed that the oxygenation of Macquarie Harbour is the best it's been in more than a decade.

 

"The science irrefutably shows that the skate and the harbour are (improving), all while salmon aquaculture continues.

 

"It confirms the adaptive management approach adopted by regulators, with the full cooperation of our industry, is working and can continue to support an industry presence in the harbour that is so critically important to the economic and social wellbeing of the local community.

 

"There is no justification for Minister Plibersek to kill our industry to save the skate – she cannot and should not ignore the facts."

 

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," Moreno said. "Updated population models and action plans are needed to ensure the species' survival in Macquarie Harbour, its last remaining habitat."

 

- Fish Farming Expert