Andrea Dawkins MP | Greens' Parks spokesperson
Environment Minister, Matthew Groom must protect the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area from further damage from salmon farming. The government is required to intervene under State, Federal and International law.
Dead zones from the salmon industry have reportedly spread a kilometre into the globally significant World Heritage Area. As the Minister for the Environment, Mr Groom must take action.
The Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area, and its unparalleled natural and cultural values are globally significant. So far, the Liberals have put the business interests of industry above World Heritage values and the marine environment.
Macquarie Harbour is in environmental crisis. Species, like the endangered Maugean skate, are being threatened by the dead zones and appalling conditions in the Harbour.
The Liberals are not only standing by and watching the TWWHA be damaged by an almost unregulated industry, but cheering it on.
The EPA has supposedly shut down the Franklin salmon lease, but the fish are still in the water. It looks a lot like government-sanctioned damage to World Heritage assets.
Tasmanians should be very concerned about the rapid expansion of the salmon industry. The government has been prioritising the short-term benefit of operators, not the protection of World Heritage values, the environment or the long-term future of the salmon farming industry.