As the future of the Tasmanian salmon industry continues to face waves of uncertainty, politicians backing the business say their federal counterparts must make their stances clear.
The federal government is currently deliberating whether to allow salmon farming operations in Macquarie Harbour, following warnings from environmental groups about risks to the endangered Maugean skate.
At the same time, the state government is advocating for industry growth through plans for new salmon farms in Storm Bay.
“We live in a beautiful world, wonderful state,” Environment Minister Madeleine Ogilvie said after touring Tassal’s facilities near Hobart.
“We have an industry that can co-exist with environmentally sustainable practices and with things like our beautiful skate.”
Ogilvie said it was important for Tasmania that the industry, which supports about 5,000 jobs statewide, continues to “grow and thrive”.
Liberal Senator Jonno Duniam, who joined Ogilvie on the water, accused federal Labor of playing politics and trying to appeal to both inner-city and regional voters.
“We have been waiting for more than a year, for two Christmases, for the Federal Government to make a decision about the future of this industry and its operation in Macquarie Harbour,” he said.
“There is no reason [Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek] cannot act today and end the uncertainty. We’ve all been calling for it.”
Salmon Tasmania CEO Luke Martin said he is “not entertaining a scenario where Macquarie Harbour’s operations get shut down”.
“We don’t believe there’s any evidence and there’s any information that’s been presented to any level of government to support a shutdown,” he said.
“What we want to see happen is an end to the uncertainty that’s occurring now for our workers in that community and we want to see a framework put in place that enables Macquarie Harbour to continue to operate at the level it’s at.”
