The Greens have announced a plan to transition the industrial fish farming industry to land-based operations starting with an immediate exit from Macquarie Harbour to save the critically endangered Maugean skate.
"For too long, the salmon corporations have treated Tasmania's oceans like a dumping ground, and the old parties have let them get away with it," Greens Senator for Tasmania Nick McKim said.
"Labor and the Liberals have worked hand-in-hand with big salmon corporations to weaken environment laws, and trash Tassie's coastline. The Greens will stand up to them."
The Greens' plan will immediately remove fish farms from Macquarie Harbour and begin the transition of the entire industry onshore and into clean, sustainable operations that don't pollute the environment or threaten species with extinction.
The plan would invest $50 million of Commonwealth funding for:
- Marine environmental remediation to clean up the mess the salmon corporations have caused
- Rigorous independent monitoring of salmon farms to ensure compliance with animal cruelty and environmental standards
- A jobs transition package for Macquarie Harbour fish farm workers
Importantly, the industry would receive no Commonwealth funding for the transition.
"Salmon multinationals have for decades made obscene profits based on animal cruelty and environmental harm. The Greens would force them to pay for their own transition."
"The Greens will act on the science, protecting the environment, and backing communities instead of toxic salmon farming corporations."
"Only the Greens will take on the powerful salmon industry and deliver a future where our marine life, our workers and our communities all have a fair go.
