Consultation on uplisting the Maugean Skate

The independent Threatened Species Scientific Committee (TSSC) has opened consultation on whether the status of the Maugean Skate should be updated from endangered to critically endangered under national environment law.

Australia’s environment law - introduced by John Howard - requires the independent Threatened Species Scientific Committee (TSSC) to call for public nominations to assess the listing status of species each year. The TSSC received a nomination from the public to update the listing of the Maugean Skate from endangered to critically endangered.

The TSSC is now asking the public for their views.

Following this consultation period the TSSC will consider information received and make a recommendation to the Minister on whether to update the listing status.

As part of the consultation papers, the TSSC has released updated Conservation Advice for the Maugean Skate, for the consideration by the community.

The Tasmanian Government and the National Recovery Team for the Maugean Skate – which includes experts, the salmon industry, community members and environment groups – were consulted on the updated Conservation Advice.

The population of Maugean Skate has almost halved in the past decade, and there are estimated to be only 40-120 adult Maugean Skate remaining in Macquarie Harbour.

That’s why the Albanese Government is investing $5.7 million to help protect the Skate and improve the health of the harbour – including $2.1 million to establish a captive breeding program which this week announced a baby Maugean Skate has successfully hatched from a captive-laid egg, a world first.

The public consultation process on this assessment will be open until 26 September and can be accessed here.

This consultation is separate to the reconsideration of environmental approvals for salmon farming in Macquarie Harbour currently underway.