The Tasmanian Government welcomes data released by the Independent Environmental Regulator which shows the best consecutive results for Macquarie Harbour since reporting commenced in 2016.
Minister for parks and Environment, Nick Duigan, said the survey into the environmental regulation of finfish farming demonstrates that the work underway by the National Recovery Team - which includes the
Tasmanian Government, the Federal Government, the salmon industry and IMAS - is working.
"The EPA report found all 35 metres compliance points at marine farms in Macquarie Harbour are compliant with environmental licence requirements," Minister Duigan said.
"This data reinforces that industry and research investment in remediation of dissolved oxygen levels in the harbour is effective and working.
"The Tasmanian Government firmly believes that the Maugean Skate and the salmon industry can continue to co-exist.
"There is now a comprehensive Conservation Action Plan being implemented to ensure the survival of the Maugean skate, and a comprehensive environmental management framework which is ensuring sustainable salmon farming operations in the harbour."
Minister for Business, Industry and Resources, Eric Abetz, said the new data must not be ignored by the Federal Environment Minister, Tanya Plibersek, and further supports our Government's view that salmon farming should continue.
"Our position is absolutely clear: we unequivocally back salmon jobs around Tasmania.
"Requests to reconsider the existing environmental approvals for salmon farming in Macquarie Harbor have no sound basis and no change to the original decision is required.
"Labor needs to stop speaking out of both sides of its mouth on salmon jobs. It cannot, on the one hand, have Julie Collins celebrate the Prime Minister's visit to a salmon processing plant in the South and, on the other, have Minister Plibersek flirt with inner-Sydney green votes by reconsidering the sector's existing approvals on the West Coast.
"Through our 2030 Strong Plan for Tasmania, we will stand up for our sustainable aquaculture industries as well as the unique natural environments in which they operate – not sacrificing either for the sake of the other."
View the EPA's full release here.
