One year ago today, IMAS scientists released their report on the Maugean Skate, pleading for urgent action to save the skate from extinction.
The critical action they recommended was to remove fish farming and its harmful pollution.
While reports show some parts of Macquarie Harbour’s waters aren’t as bad as they were this time last year, this does not mean the skate are safe – or saved.
Today, however, we had the government and industry together cheering on big business as usual – claiming this showed nothing needs to change in Macquarie Harbour.
This is akin to standing outside on a winter’s day and claiming climate change isn’t real.
This is a moment in history where there’s the possibility to stop the extinction of an ancient animal. Instead of political leaders fighting for the skate, Labor and the Liberals are on a unity ticket to blindly back in big salmon.
It’s getting harder and harder to tell Labor and the Liberals apart, and it’s heartbreaking they are united at the expense of a species on the brink of extinction.
