Federal government pushes back decision to list Maugean skate as Critically Endangered by a year, purportedly to consider submissions
Only 40-120 adult Maugean skates left in its only home, Macquarie Harbour
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
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 today 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.
