Image @ Eric J Woehler

Tasmania's Threatened Species Strategy Review

December 2023

Tasmania, as with mainland Australia, is in an extinction crisis. Over the next few decades, climate change will compound and exacerbate existing threats to our threatened species, and we will see a rapid increase in species extinctions. Further, there are already species that were once common that are currently experiencing rapidly decreasing populations. Tasmania currently has 700 listed threatened species, but this number is likely to increase substantially in the near future. 

If the Tasmanian government is serious about protecting threatened species, then we need to see extensive legislation change, substantial investment and action. As such, we think a stronger Vision statement for the strategy is needed, one that commits to strong action, such as that of “No New Extinctions” adopted by the Federal Government. We must prioritise reversing species’ decreases, rather than merely minimising them.

Read the Submission below:

Tasmania’s Threatened Species Strategy

Image @ Eric J Woehler

Industry Impacts on Threatened Species Ignored

7 September 2023

On threatened species day a number of Recovery Plans and Conservation Advices were released by the Federal Government for some of the nation’s most at risk species. For Tasmania, this included a recovery plan for the Swift Parrot and a conservation advice for the Maugean skate, both  endangered species. 

However, the management recommendations for both species differ substantially. Advice for the skate recommends, “significantly reducing fish biomass” in Macquarie Harbour, which properly addresses the main threat. But the Recovery Plan for the Swift Parrot does not require any changes to existing forestry practices, despite scientists identifying native forest logging as the key threat to the species for many years.

Read the Media Release below:

Independent scientists call on the Government to properly regulate the impact of industry on threatened species

FACT CHECK OF SALMON TAS REPORT: The Tasmanian Salmon industry: a vital social and economic contributor.

15 August 2023

This report assesses Salmon Tasmania’s recent publication on the social and economic impact of the Tasmanian salmon aquaculture industry. It draws on the underlying report to Salmon Tasmania by Deloitte, and the preceding background report ‘Salmonid Aquaculture Production’ published by the Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies.

The Tasmanian Independent Science Council has reviewed economic claims made by Salmon Tasmania and finds that the claims are misleading and overstate the economic and social contribution of the industry. 

“Now that all three salmon producers are under foreign ownership, industry finances and economic contributions have become even more opaque. Salmon Tasmania has missed an opportunity to provide the Tasmanian public with a transparent, holistic analysis that accounts for all social, economic and environmental costs and benefits of the industry,” says report author Dr Graeme Wells.

Read the Media Release below:

Salmon industry overstates economic impact

Read the Full Report below:

Fact Check of Salmon Tasmania’s report – The Tasmanian Salmon industry: a vital social and economic contributor.

GET YOUR SKATES ON: TASMANIA'S NEXT STATE OF THE ENVIRONMENT REPORT

11 August 2023

The Tasmanian Government has failed to publish the vital State of the Environment (SOE) Report since 2009. They have committed to do so by 30 June 2024 following concerted efforts by the Australia Institute Tasmania, the Environmental Defenders Office, and the Tasmanian community.

This report by the Tasmanian Independent Science Council, the Australia Institute Tasmania and the Environmental Defenders Office warns that Tasmania’s first State of the Environment report in almost 15 years will not be fit for purpose without an immediate funding boost and increased transparency. We call for a substantial investment in funding, among other recommendations, to make up for the long-standing lack of comprehensive environmental analysis and reporting.

Read the Media Release below:

Funding and Transparency Needed for Tasmania’s Long-Overdue State of the Environment Report

Read the Full Report below:

Get your skates on: Tasmania’s next State of the Environment Report

WHY SALMON FARMING SHOULD BE REMOVED FROM LONG BAY: A multiple lines of evidence review

21 July 2023

Long Bay is not a suitable location for salmon or other finfish farming. It is strongly recommended that the current operations be removed from the bay, that the current Environmental and Marine Farming Licenses not be renewed, and that the Tasman Marine Farm Development Plan be modified to exclude finfish aquaculture as a permissible use at this lease. On 30 November 2023, the current Environmental License (9959/3) for the Long Bay finfish lease is due to expire. Based on the evidence of environmental harm and nuisance presented in this report, this License should not be renewed.

The Tasmanian Independent Science Council has written directly to the Minister for Environment, the Minister for Primary Industries, and the Director of the EPA detailing this request.

Read the Media Release below:

Time to end salmon farming in Long Bay: Scientists say

Read the Full Report below:

Why salmon farming should be removed from Long Bay

Read the Letter to the Minister below:

Letter