The Federal Government has pledged more than $2.1 million to protect the endangered Maugean skate and create a captive breeding program to save the species from extinction.
The Maugean skate population in Macquarie Harbour is estimated to be less than 1000 due to low oxygen levels and poor water quality.
The funding will be used to establish an insurance population for the skate, which is known as the “Tasmanian tiger of the sea”.
Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek called for urgent action to protect the species and improve water quality in Macquarie Harbour.
“We know the key threats remain poor water quality in Macquarie Harbour from aquaculture and hydro operations,” Plibersek says.
“Our government is committed to doing what we can to assist, and we urge the salmon industry and Tasmanian government to take the action needed to clean up Macquarie Harbour so the maugean skate can survive for another 100 million years.”
The Maugean skate is one of 110 species included in the government’s threatened species recovery plan.
