The Premier believes the endangered Maugean skate and the salmon industry can coexist in Macquarie Harbour on the West Coast amid a war of words erupting.
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The skate, endemic to Macquarie Harbour and on the brink of extinction, was the subject of an angry outburst from West Coast mayor Shane Pitt over potential conservation efforts impacting the salmon industry.
His comments garnered the support of Tasmanian business lobby groups, who voiced concerns about revelations the federal government could limit or shut down salmon farming in Macquarie Harbour in the interest of the Maugean skate.
Premier Jeremy Rockliff said he wrote to the Prime Minister seeking to work collaboratively with the Federal government regarding the issue.
"Our strong belief is that the Maugean skate and the salmon industry can coexist in Macquarie Harbour," Mr Rockliff said.
"The Salmon Industry on the West Coast is worth over $100 million and directly employs more than 150 people.
"Industry advice to me is that any disruptions to Macquarie Harbour operations would put 350-400 jobs at risk in communities right across Tasmania.
"The Tasmanian Liberal government would strongly oppose any decision that resulted in those jobs being lost as that would be detrimental to the West Coast."
Mr Rockliff and Primary Industries and Water Minister Jo Palmer visited Macquarie Harbour on September 23.
"It is our expectation that no action be taken without significant engagement at ministerial level with the Tasmanian government and salmon industry," he said.
"There is also work being done currently by the Maugean Skate Recovery team including the development of a Conservation Action Plan due in December this year.
"Any decisions prior to the reporting back of this group would be premature."
The Premier invited Mr Albanese and his fellow federal ministers to visit the West Coast and work with Tasmania as a matter of urgency.
Environmental groups and other organisations have previously expressed concerns that not enough had been done to save the Maugean skate.
"World Heritage Macquarie Harbour, on Tasmania's west coast, has suffered impacts from mining and forestry since the nineteenth century," The Australia Institute's Tasmania director Eloise Carr said.
"But it's the Harbour's twenty-first-century salmon industry that will go down in history for being linked to the extinction of a species if business as usual continues."
Salmon Tasmania CEO Luke Martin said Mr Rockliff's visit to the West Coast was "meaningful and valued".
"There is no doubt the relentless calls by environmental activists to shut down the industry in Macquarie Harbour has been deeply hurtful to the workers and their families," Mr Martin said.
"It's created uncertainty in the industry and the community.
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