Tasmania’s unique marine ecosystem is in the midst of collapse but the Environment Minister is wilfully blind to the problem, denying the reality playing out in our waterways.
Since last summer, Tasmanians have seen unprecedent blooms of jellyfish, salp and algae in south-east waters – a response to an ecosystem badly out of balance. A formerly exotic bacteria killed millions of caged salmon, dead sardines are washing up in Sandy Bay, and a thriving oyster industry has been wiped out in Pipe Clay Lagoon.
That is terrible enough, but now a toxic algal bloom is poisoning shellfish in waters from Maria Island to the west of Bruny Island, at least. A matter of no consequence to the minister it seems, given her response to a Greens question in Parliament today.
Commercial shellfishing has been forced to stop in impacted waters due to the serious risk to human health from paralytic shellfish poisoning. Recreational fishers are also potentially at risk. Symptoms include numbness and tingling of the face, lips, tongue, arms, and legs, as well as gastrointestinal issues like diarrhoea and vomiting. In severe cases, a person can suffer respiratory failure and even death – serious stuff.
There have been no warnings other than a Facebook post two weeks ago from the Department of Health, but nothing from the Minister for Environment. Her silence is reminiscent of her response to the mass salmon mortality event, when diseased fish fat and flesh washed up on beaches, shocking communities.
We have no idea if this algae is the same species that has wiped out millions of marine creatures in South Australia, but the SA government’s response couldn’t be more stark. They have stood up their Department of Health, there has been state and national media attention, community forums, events to educate the public on the algae, and support to help the community recover from this event.
Tasmanian communities receive no such courtesy or support. They are desperate for information and action to repair our precious marine environment. It’s a damning indictment on the Rockliff Government that they haven’t properly informed the community of the serious health risks of consuming affected shellfish. They seem so keen to run cover for corporate salmon companies that they’d don’t care to acknowledge or act to protect Tasmanians’ health and our marine environment.
