Peter Dutton says a future Coalition government would not ban salmon farming in Tasmania's Macquarie Harbour, even if the Maugean skate's status is upgraded to "critically endangered". His comments come as protestors continue their campaign against salmon farming in Storm Bay, south east of Hobart.
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00:00At Cremorne Beach, hundreds of people gather with a message for salmon company Petunia.
00:10They say the industry will threaten the environment and impact the amenity of the local area.
00:15It's just so sad that people are even thinking to it here.
00:19Salmon farms shouldn't be out on the water, they should be inland.
00:22Petunia already has approval to operate in Storm Bay, but new biosecurity rules mean
00:27it has to split up its existing lease and it's proposing to move some of its pens up
00:32the bay closer to residents.
00:34It is 7km away from some of the shore communities, it's 4km away from the nearest residents.
00:42The opposition leader expressed support for the industry as he took in the sights and
00:46the smells of a salmon processing facility on the state's east coast.
00:51I want to see next generations of Tasmanians employed in what is not just the most sustainable
00:57world, but one of the cleanest industries in the world.
01:00Peter Dutton's visit comes as the Federal Environment Minister continues to assess whether
01:05salmon farming at Macquarie Harbour should be reconsidered, amid concerns about the fate
01:11of the Morgean Skate.
01:13Mr Dutton says he would allow salmon farming to continue there, regardless of whether the
01:18skate's status is uplisted from endangered to critically endangered.
01:23We will not be stopping salmon farming, in fact I want to see salmon farming grow in Tasmania.
01:28The Federal Government recently allocated $28 million to improve water quality in Macquarie
01:34Harbour and continue a skate breeding program.
01:37We can have salmon and we can have the environment, we can have both.
01:41With a Federal election on the horizon, salmon farming could be a key factor in deciding
01:47which party triumphs in the Tasmanian seats that are up for grabs.