- Maugean Skate Recovery Team's annual report is nearly two years overdue, eroding public trust in the team's efforts.
- A progress report must be published immediately – public deserves to know if the salmon industry is progressing on the reduction of salmon biomass in Macquarie Harbour
The Australian Marine Conservation Society is calling for the immediate public release of a progress report from the Maugean skate recovery team, with an update now nearly two years overdue.
The science is clear – reduction of salmon biomass is critical to ensure the future of the Maugean skate. The progress report is a key means to demonstrate action, and the delay of this report leaves a critical question unanswered: what progress, if any, has been made on the recovery roadmap, in particular the critical action by the salmon industry to reduce salmon biomass in Macquarie Harbour?
Since 2023, significant work has been undertaken within the recovery team. This must now translate into transparent reporting, action and accountability to support the skate's recovery.
"The science is clear: the threats pushing the Maugean skate toward extinction remain unresolved, despite the solutions being the same as they were three years ago" said Dr Leonardo Guida, AMCS shark scientist. "While we acknowledge the immense efforts to date, progress must be documented and shared, warts and all. Taxpayer dollars are funding this recovery effort and people have the right to know if they're hard-earned dollars are being spent effectively and whether real progress is being made for the Maugean skate."
Salmon farming is the single biggest immediate threat to the skate, as it contributes to dangerously low oxygen levels in the harbour. Just this month, the Australian Government renewed the skate's endangered listing, and Macquarie Harbour was globally recognised as one of 158 Important Shark and Ray Areas (ISRAs) across Australia and the Southeast Indian Ocean.
AMCS is calling on the Tasmanian and Federal Governments to immediately publish a report outlining progress to date and clearly state any advances made by industry to reduce salmon biomass. The Maugean skate doesn't have the luxury of time.
