Image @ Eric J Woehler

Better Management for Tasmania's Threatened Species

7 September 2024

This year on Threatened Species Day, the Tasmanian Independent Science Council calls for better management for Tasmania's threatened species. The response from governments and businesses is unnaceptable for the extinction crisis we are facing.

Read the Media Release below:

Science Council calls for better management for Tasmania’s Threatened Species

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

Tasmanian Threatened Species: Problems and Solutions

24 February 2022

Onlive, via Zoom

In lutruwita/Tasmania we live alongside a wide variety of native species of animals and plants. In forests, the Swift Parrot, a rainbow of colours, can be seen perched in Tasmanian Blue Gum’s. Tasmanian Devils can be heard screeching and grunting below the canopies, amongst the grass and along the coastlines at night. In the waters around lutruwita/Tasmania, Handfish walk along reefs and the ocean floor.

But habitat loss, pollution and disease are threatening these native species. To inform us about the threats to our feathered and fishy friends, as well as how we can better protect them, the Tasmanian Independent Science Council is bringing together a group of experts.

Registrations are essential. You can register here.

Speakers

Dr Jennifer Sanger is a passionate independent forest ecologist, who will speak about the threatened Swift Parrot, and what can be done to protect it.

Dr Rodrigo Hamede, who specialises in disease ecology and epidemiology at the University of Tasmania, will speak about the Tasmanian Devil.

Dr Jemina Stuart-Smith is a marine biologist at the Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies and CSIRO, who coordinates the Handfish Conservation Project and leads the National Handfish Recovery Team. She will speak about her work aiding the recovery of critically endangered handfish species in Tasmania and restoration of their habitats.

Professor Benjamin Richardson, an international scholar of environmental law at the University of Tasmania Law Faculty, will speak about eco-restoration and climate refugia for threatened species.

Distinguished Professor Jamie Kirkpatrick AM is a Professor of Geography and Environmental Studies at the University of Tasmania. He will be our MC for the evening.

Watch the Event Recording below:

Event Recording