A purpose-built conservation facility in Tasmania will house more than 100 critically endangered Maugean skate hatchlings.
The new ‘Skate Park’ at the Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies (IMAS) in Taroona features lap pool-sized tanks and high-quality filtration systems designed to give the species its best chance of survival.
Professor Jayson Semmens, who leads the IMAS research program, said the facility arrived at a critical time.
“Our animals are growing very quickly and maturing a lot faster than what we thought, and we need to be able to house them as they go through these changes,” he said.
The program now has more than 100 hatchlings from both captive-laid and wild-collected eggs, with the oldest approaching two years old.
“… They’re getting to a size we needed a big facility and that’s where this one comes in,” Professor Semmens said.
The facility forms part of broader University of Tasmania upgrades at Taroona.
Professor Sean Tracey, head of the fisheries and aquaculture centre, said the building was made for skate conservation.
“It’s a bespoke facility. It’s been designed specifically for this purpose,” he said.
Each tank system holds about 30 tonnes of water, with tanks ranging from small hatchling enclosures to large pools capable of housing mature adults.
Professor Semmens, who has spent 25 years at the university, said he never imagined reaching this point two years ago.
“We’ve made a really solid start,” he said.
“Now the focus is moving closer to the natural environment in how we hold these animals which is really important for their future and preparing them for eventual release.”
The facility was funded by the Department of Natural Resources and Environment Tasmania.
The federal government has committed $37.5 million to Maugean skate recovery since 2021, including support for the captive breeding program.
