<?xml version="1.0" encoding="ISO-8859-1"?> <docID>332879</docID> <postdate>2024-11-12 09:51:42</postdate> <headline>Funding boost to save endangered fish in remote harbour</headline> <body><p><img class="size-full wp-image-332883" src="https://citynews.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/r0_0_800_600_w800_h600_fmax-1-e1731365418656.jpg" alt="" width="800" height="533" /></p> <caption>An estimated 40-120 adult Maugean skates remain in the wild, in Macquarie Harbour. Photo: IMAS</caption> <p><span class="kicker-line">By <strong>William Ton</strong></span></p> <p><strong>Millions of dollars will be spent boosting water quality and environmental conditions in a Tasmanian waterway dominated by salmon farming to save the endangered Maugean skate.</strong></p> <p>Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announced on Tuesday a $28 million boost for new measures in Macquarie Harbour, including scaling up oxygenation to offset the effects of human activities on the endangered species.</p> <p>About $5 million of the funding will invested into skate breeding programs which hatch eggs and raise juveniles for release while environmental conservation efforts work to improve its habitat.</p> <p>Another $2.5 million will go towards monitoring the skate population and compliance in the community.</p> <p>It's been a year since Federal Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek triggered a review of aquaculture in Macquarie Harbour, the only home of the skate.</p> <p>There are an estimated 40-120 adult Maugean skates remaining in the wild, according to environmental campaigners.</p> <p>The government's own conservation advice called for urgent action to eliminate or significantly reduce fish farming impacts on the harbour's oxygen levels to help safeguard the skate.</p> <p>A decision to increase the skate's status to critically endangered was pushed back until after the federal election.</p> <p>Industry groups and environmentalists said that left the future of salmon farming and of the rare skate in "limbo".</p> <p>With the announcement, Mr Albanese backed the Tasmanian salmon industry, deeming it a backbone of many regional communities.</p> <p>"It's essential we support the thousands of jobs it creates right across the state," he said.</p> <p>"To do that, it's essential we have a sustainable industry which supports workers and the environment."</p> <p>Federal Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry Minister Julie Collins says the measures will protect the state's unique environment and support sustainable salmon farming in Macquarie Harbour.</p> <p>The announcement builds on existing conservation efforts in the harbour which is part of Tasmania's $1 billion aquaculture industry and comes as the prime minister prepares for an election expected by May.</p> </body>