The West Coast Council is demanding an end to the “living hell” of uncertainty surrounding the future of Tasmania’s salmon industry in Macquarie Harbour.
Mayor Shane Pitt’s plea follows the federal government’s move to delay a final decision on the threatened species status of the Maugean skate for another year.
A final decision on whether the skate, found exclusively in the harbour near Strahan, should be listed as threatened will now be made on October 30 next year.
This extension was requested by the Threatened Species Scientific Committee (TSSC) to allow for a thorough review of two recent reports from the University of Tasmania.
Pitt said Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek must make a decision so the region’s salmon workers “can get on with their jobs”.
“It’s almost a year since she started this uncertainty and now workers, families and the West Coast could face another Christmas with their future in limbo,” he said.
Pitt described the situation as “cruel” and said even children are anxious about being “uprooted” from their homes, schools and friends if the decision goes against the industry.
“What kind of person would think stringing this out is okay?” he asked.
“It’s unfathomable to think that this could mean another 12 months before a decision on the future of Macquarie Harbour is made.”
“The West Coast can’t afford another 12 months like this and we deserve better than that too.”
Environmental advocates from the Bob Brown Foundation, however, argue that protecting the Maugean skate necessitates the removal of fish farms from the harbour.
“There are an estimated 40-120 adult Maugean skates remaining in the wild, with fish farming confirmed to have a catastrophic impact on their survival,” campaigner Alistair Allan said.
“Without fish farms being removed, the federal Environment Minister is playing Russian roulette with an animal that has been on the planet for millions of years.”
Industry body Salmon Tasmania has expressed disappointment, but not surprise, at the extension.
