After two days of visiting Tasmania, Federal environment Minister, Tanya Plibersek, failed to meet with the Bob Brown Foundation or any conservation groups to discuss the future of the Maugean Skate despite multiple invitations and requests.
The Maugean Skate is found only in Macquarie Harbour in Tasmania and a recent IMAS report sounded the warning bell that “the skate is one extreme event away from extinction”.
The Minister did meet with her Tasmanian counterpart, Roger Janesch, and in a statement agreed to ‘monitor’ the Maugean Skate.
“It is unconscionable that the Federal Environment minister, who announced to Australia her intention of no new extinctions, can only commit to more monitoring of the Maugean Skate. The only reason we know it is going extinct is because of monitoring in the first place. That time has been and gone, it is now time to make a decision and take action,” said Alistair Allan, Antarctic and Marine Campaigner. Bob Brown Foundation.
“The Maugean Skate is literally at the edge of the precipice and Minister Plibersek’s only concern seems to be measuring how long the drop is. There is no round two here, no second chance. When it comes to the Maugean Skate – extinction is forever,” said Alistair Allan.
Photo: Jane Ruckert