The Australia Institute has launched a petition encouraging Australians to support Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek to keep her promise of no more animal extinctions under her watch.
Last year, scientists warned that the Maugean skate – a stingray-like marine animal dating back to the dinosaur era – was heading for extinction.
The Minister is now considering two separate reviews which will decide whether the skate survives – or becomes extinct.
The reason the skate is facing extinction is because, in 2012, the salmon industry was allowed to undertake a massive expansion of fish farms in Macquarie Harbour, the Maugean skate’s only habitat. One third of the Harbour is part of the Tasmania’s Wilderness World Heritage Area and the skate is one of its natural values.
Pollution from these large, foreign-owned fish farms has led to severely depleted oxygen levels in the harbour’s waters.
Now, the powerful salmon lobby – grossly exaggerating its importance to the local economy – wants to be exempt from environmental laws.
A newspaper advertisement promoting the petition states: “The salmon industry in Tasmania is owned by three foreign corporations, including JBS, which has been convicted of corruption. None of their salmon farms have paid company tax in Australia since 2019 according to Australian Tax Office data.”
“Australians are not stupid. They are starting to see through the lies and spin of these powerful multinational corporations,” said Eloise Carr, Director, The Australia Institute Tasmania.
“Now we need Australians to ensure their politicians don’t fall for the misinformation being spread by these corporations pillaging Australian waters.
“We are asking for people who care about saving the skate from extinction, people who care about ensuring our government keep its promises, to sign our petition to end salmon farming in Macquarie Harbour.
“Of course we need to look after workers who would be affected. There are lots of ways we can do that, but there is only one way to save the skate.”
