New laws have passed in Parliament overnight, which critics say water down environmental protections and blatantly favour Tasmania’s salmon farming industry.
The laws would guarantee salmon farming in the world-heritage-listed Macquarie Harbour and reduce the ability of the public to challenge approvals.
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Environmental groups and the Greens are concerned about the industry’s effects on marine wildlife, including nutrient and chemical pollution.
It is also said that the salmon industry is harming a threatened species found in Tasmanian waters, the Maugean skate.
Greens Senator Sarah Hanson-Young pulled out a large dead salmon in Senate yesterday to protest.
“On the eve of the election, have you sold out your environment credentials for rotten, stinking, extinction salmon. Extinction salmon,” Hanson-Young said.
Salmon farming is a billion-dollar industry that contributes 770 million dollars a year to the state’s economy. It also employs around 90 per cent of regional Tasmanians.
According to Senator Jacquie Lambie, 60 per cent of Tasmanians don’t want it in the state. Lambie says many Tasmanians argue that if it needs to exist, it should be moved further offshore and away from endangered species.
Before the laws had passed, it had also attracted the attention of Hollywood Star Leonardo DiCaprio.
DiCpario called on his 60.5 million Instagram followers to “Help save the Maugean Skate… and prevent the extinction of this unique species.”
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