The Albanese government's swift passage of legislation to safeguard salmon farming in Tasmania's Macquarie Harbour last year came on the heels of a stark warning. The government received advice in late 2024, highlighting the need to reconsider a 2012 decision that allowed salmon farming to expand in the vast harbour. This expansion, according to the advice, was significantly harming the endangered Maugean skate, an ancient ray-like species, and the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area, which encompasses parts of the harbour.
The environment department's recommendation was clear: overturn a decision by the previous Labor government that the salmon farm expansion didn't require a full environmental assessment under national law. Instead, they advised a fresh inquiry that could potentially scale back or halt farming in the harbour. The new information revealed that salmon farming was reducing dissolved oxygen levels, impacting the Maugean skate's habitat, behavior, physiology, and population. These low oxygen levels were also affecting the natural heritage values of the World Heritage Area.
This advice was prompted by a 2023 request from three environmental organizations to reconsider the 2012 decision. However, the Albanese government, led by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, rejected the department's recommendation and introduced legislation to restrict when third parties could request a decision be reconsidered. The bill, supported by the opposition, was passed in March 2025.
The government's actions sparked controversy, with Tasmanian Greens senator Peter Whish-Wilson accusing the government of disregarding expert scientific advice. He criticized the government's self-serving actions and their calculated move to protect the salmon farming industry, despite the environmental concerns. Eloise Carr, a consultant and campaigner against Tasmanian salmon farming, echoed this sentiment, emphasizing the industry's lack of environmental impact assessments under national law.
The Maugean skate, endemic to Macquarie Harbour and listed as endangered since 2004, faced further scrutiny in 2024. A government scientific committee reported extremely low numbers and recommended scaling back or removing fish farming to save the species. However, a subsequent report by the Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies suggested the skate population may have recovered to 2014 levels, remaining endangered and requiring continued monitoring.
The government's decision has been challenged in the federal court by the organization NWTAS for Clean Oceans, which opposes salmon farms. The case highlights the ongoing debate surrounding the environmental impact of salmon farming and the government's responsibility to protect endangered wildlife.
