Salmon industry breathes a sigh of relief, but environmental groups vow to fight on
Tasmanian salmon farmers and their communities are celebrating after the Albanese government rushed through legislation protecting their industry. The new laws remove the environment minister's ability to reconsider previous approvals for salmon farming in Macquarie Harbour, a move that had caused significant uncertainty for the industry and its workers.
However, environmental groups are far from happy. They argue that the legislation undermines crucial environmental protections and could have dire consequences for the endangered Maugean skate, a ray-like fish found only in Macquarie Harbour. The groups are exploring legal options to challenge the amendments and vow to continue fighting for the protection of the skate and the broader marine environment.
The contentious amendments to the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act (EPBC) were passed through the Senate with the support of both Labor and the Coalition. The legislation removes provisions that allowed the environment minister to reconsider salmon farming in Macquarie Harbour, effectively shielding the industry from further scrutiny.
The debate over the environmental law change centered on the Maugean skate, whose population has been in steep decline. Scientists have linked the decline to aquaculture activities in the harbour, although recent studies suggest populations may be stabilizing. In November 2023, three environmental groups requested that the federal Environment Minister reconsider the 2012 environmental approvals for aquaculture in the harbour, leading to a period of uncertainty for the salmon industry and its workers.
The new legislation removes the environment minister's ability to reconsider previous decisions if they have been ongoing for five years and were approved with conditions involving state-based regulation. However, environmental groups criticize the rushed nature of the legislation, arguing that it bypassed normal parliamentary scrutiny and may not even apply to fish farms in Macquarie Harbour.
The Greens and crossbenchers also voiced their concerns, arguing that the legislation weakens federal environment laws and could have broader implications beyond salmon farming. The unusual theatrics in the Senate, with Greens senators holding up a salmon and heckling the Prime Minister, further highlighted the controversy surrounding the legislation.
While the salmon industry celebrates its victory, the battle over the future of Macquarie Harbour and the Maugean skate is far from over. Environmental groups remain committed to protecting the endangered species and the broader marine environment, and they are prepared to use all legal avenues available to challenge the legislation. The coming months will be crucial in determining the fate of the Maugean skate and the future of salmon farming in Macquarie Harbour.