Plibersek warns salmon industry over endangered fish

Tracey Ferrier | November 7, 2023

Australia’s environment minister has warned salmon farming could be paused in a Tasmanian harbour where an ancient species is facing extinction.

Tanya Plibersek has written to the Tasmanian premier, spelling out what might lie ahead for the salmon industry in Macquarie Harbour – the only place on earth where the Maugean skate exists.

Scientists warn the ancient species is on the brink, threatened by poor water quality associated with salmon farming and other uses.

The minister warns the industry’s current plan to help the skate – by pumping oxygen into the harbour to offset what salmon suck out – won’t fix the problem on its own.

Other solutions recommended by experts will also be important, she says, including “lower salmon farming industry loads”.

Tasmania’s salmon industry has steadfastly refused calls to urgently to reduce fish stocks before summer, saying there’s no evidence it will resolve the water quality problems.

Ms Plibersek also details what could happen after her department was asked to reconsider if salmon farmers have the federal environmental approvals needed to continue operating.

The three requests came from the The Australia Institute, the Bob Brown Foundation and the Environmental Defenders Office.

Ms Plibersek says the matter is under careful consideration.

If any of the three requests are deemed valid, she’ll be required under the federal Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act to formally reconsider what’s happening in the harbour.

That process would involve broad consultation and would take into account “any measures taken by the industry or others to help protect the skate”.

“If the reconsideration finds that the salmon industry in Macquarie Harbour does not have the necessary environmental approvals the EPBC Act … would require operations to pause while approvals are sought.”

But Ms Plibersek also said she’d do what she could within the law to get the salmon industry onto “a truly sustainable footing”.

“The federal government stands ready to consider a sustainable salmon farming proposal that delivers improvements in Macquarie Harbour’s oxygen levels, necessary for the recovery of the Maugean skate population,” she said.

Last week, it emerged that the salmon industry’s plan to artificially oxygenate the harbour, using a barge and some pumps, is yet to secure all the funded required, a month before work is due to start.

The salmon industry has said it will provide just over half of the $6 million to $7 million needed for the trial and expects the rest will come from the federally-funded Fisheries Research and Development Corporation.

The statutory corporation, which is also funded by fishing industry contributions, last week said it hadn’t received an application for any money, but was expecting a formal request soon.

The federal government’s Threatened Species Scientific Committee has called for urgent action before summer to ensure the Maugean skate survives.

It has said the fastest and simplest way to resolve oxygen problems in the harbour is to significantly slash the amount of fish being farmed there.

But Salmon Tasmania, which represents the state’s large salmon producers, says many factors are affecting water quality, including the production of hydroelectricity.