Rare skate and salmon can live together

Farmed salmon and a rare breed of skate can co-exist around Tasmania, new data has shown.

Last year there were calls to the authorities for aquaculture on Australia’s southern island province to be scaled back due to fears about the future of the Maugean skate. (pictured)

But the latest information is that the Maugean skate population has not only stabilised but there were as many juveniles in Macquarie Harbour now as there was 10 years ago.

The highly respected Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies research found that the population of the skate 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.

Salmon Tasmania CEO Luke Martin said the new IMAS research, coming on top of other data indicating water conditions had recovered to the best levels in over a decade, confirmed it would be a very unreasonable response by the Federal Environment Minister Tanya 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.

“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.

He continued: “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,” Mr Martin said.

 “This follows science from the independent EPA last week that showed 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 on the improve, 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. “

Martin added: “We also expect other stakeholders in Macquarie Harbour, particularly Hydro Tasmania, to step up and share responsibility for the long-term management of the harbour.”