Action for Oceans

Save the Maugean Skate

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Urge the Prime Minister and Environment Minister to remove fish farms from Macquarie Harbour and protect the Maugean Skate from extinction

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Why take action

Macquarie Harbour is one of Tasmania’s most unique and globally significant waterways, bordering the World Heritage-listed wilderness.

It is the only home of the Maugean Skate—an ancient species found nowhere else on Earth.

Industrial salmon farms have pushed this species to the brink. Oxygen depletion, pollution, and mass fish deaths have turned this once-pristine harbour into a toxic environment where the skate can no longer survive.

The Prime Minister and Environment Minister have promised no new extinctions. Without urgent action to remove fish farms and restore the harbour, the Maugean Skate could disappear forever.

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Dear Federal Environment Minister Murray Watt,

I am writing to request the urgent removal of fish farms from Macquarie Harbour.

Macquarie Harbour is a magnificent natural waterway on the wild west coast of Lutruwita / Tasmania. With the South West Wilderness and World Heritage Area on its shores, it is in these waters that a rare and unique animal lives — the Maugean Skate.

The Maugean Skate has been on the planet for millions of years. It looks like a stingray but is closely related to a shark. Found only in Macquarie Harbour, the species is now on the edge of extinction due to industrial fish farms that litter this once-pristine harbour.

This toxic industry has been rapidly expanding over the last decade. With so many fish farms in the harbour, the oxygen levels in the water have been depleted to the point where it is difficult for the Maugean Skate to survive.

In 2017/18, Macquarie Harbour suffered a critical low oxygen event due to the overstocking of fish farms. Over one million farmed salmon and trout died as a result, and it is very likely that hundreds of Maugean Skates were also killed.

Minister, you made a promise of no new extinctions on your watch. Well, the Maugean Skate has been pushed to the very edge. You must take immediate action to save this animal.

Your own department's conservation advice deemed fish farms as having a catastrophic impact on the Maugean Skate population.

We cannot let an animal as old as the dinosaurs disappear from this earth forever.

I call on you to immediately:

• Remove all industrial fish farms from Macquarie Harbour.

• Ensure that Hydro Tasmania adjusts flows into Macquarie Harbour.

• Ensure that the Maugean Skate thrives in the wild, not in a captive breeding program or zoo.

I know you will keep your promise.

Regards,