Politicians out of step with most Australians on Maugean Skate - NOFF calls for West Coast workers’ transition support

29/11/2024

An Australia-wide poll has revealed how out of step Tasmanian Federal and State politicians are in prioritising the Atlantic salmon industry over community expectations.

"Australians are more in tune with the urgent need to halt the nation's appalling rate of extinctions than their elected representatives who are charged with that very responsibility," says Peter George, president of Neighbours of Fish Farming (NOFF).
"From top to bottom - from Prime Minister to Tasmanian Environment Minister, Eric Abetz - unquestioning support for the industry in the face of overwhelming scientific evidence is utterly out of step with the communities they represent.

The poll, commissioned by the Australia Institute, quizzed Australians nationwide with a majority of Labor, Liberal and Greens voters supporting an end to salmon production in Macquarie Harbour because of the extinction threat to the 60-million-year-old Maugean skate.

"Now's the time for state and federal politicians to step up and face the truth: their support for the destructive multinational salmon producers flies in the face of Australians' expectations," says Mr George. "They should be ploughing resources into supporting West Coast workers' transition away from the industry instead of pouring $28 million into subsidising the industry's desperate attempts to remain in Macquarie Harbour."
"Apparently politicians in the two big parties are deaf to community concerns and expectations. But they're on notice in Tasmania where recent standing-room only community meetings at Dodges Ferry and South Arm voted unanimously to oppose industry expansion in Storm Bay," says Mr George.
"The industry's plans for expansion further north in Storm Bay than ever before threatens not just coastal communities but yet another critically endangered marine creature, the Red Handfish which exists only in the area.
"It's fair to ask what the multinational salmon companies are offering Labor and Liberal to ignore the overwhelming concerns of Tasmanians about the destruction of waterways, marine life and the impacts of industrial noise, light and debris.
"Greater transparency in political donations and an empowered Integrity Commission could provide deeply embarrassing answers for the government and opposition.
"An authoratative poll conducted last year revealed 72% of Tasmanians want the industry out of our shallow, vulnerable waterways in line with the extensive recommendations of the Legislative Council's Finfish inquiry.

Motion unanimously passed at Dodges Ferry and Sandford community meetings, Nov 2024

Noting widespread community concern about industrial light, noise, debris & pollution caused by multinational salmon producers on the Tasmanian coastline and the industry's impact on marine life, beaches, reefs and rivers, this meeting at South Arm of communities in the vicinity of north Storm Bay resolves to:

  • Reject and fight plans by the salmon industry to establish any further open-net Atlantic salmon pens in Storm Bay.

  • In particular we reject and commit to fighting the plans of multinational Sealord, operating as Petuna, to establish salmon pens in the area south and east of Betsey Island and just west of Sloping Main, close to Frederick Henry Bay and Norfolk Bay.

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