This week, members of the crossbench of the Tasmanian parliament and Upper House have called on UNESCO to conduct a reactive monitoring mission in the mismanagement of the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area (TWWHA), which would include investigation into the handling of endangered Maugean Skate conservation outcomes - the Gondwana relic is a listed value of the TWWHA.
This comes just days after the progressive Federal Crossbench of both the House of Representatives and the Senate also wrote to UNESCO calling for the same.
Both letters call for the reinstatement of regular “State of conservation” reporting on the TWWHA, and follow through on commitments made in 2015 to complete assessments into the cultural values to the Palawa people within the TWWHA, and progress commitments to shared management of the site with the Palawa.
Jess Coughlan, senior Skate campaigner at Environment Tasmania said: “The endangered Maugean Skate is facing a potential extinction and the vulnerable population is now at greater risk than ever. Australia’s crossbench calling for this intervention from UNESCO highlights the necessity for increased management for the future resilience of this site and all its values.”
“Environment Tasmania supports the call for Palawa co-management of the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area, as was the commitment by the Government in 2015. Serious questions must be asked by UNESCO about why these protocols have taken so long to progress.”
“Salmon and other industries’’ impacts on the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area were raised at the World Heritage meeting in Korea this week. The salmon industry is no longer able to hide behind Australian and Tasmanian governments skirts. The world now knows the destructive power of the salmon industry and they want action to protect Tasmanians precious world heritage,” said Eloise Carr, Policy Advisor, The Wilderness Society.
Please find the Federal letter here and State letter here.
Comments attributable to:
Jess Coughlan Senior Skate Campaigner Environment Tasmania [email protected] Ph: 0431 684 741
Eloise Carr Policy Advisor, The Wilderness Society Currently in Korea, Unesco World Heritage Convention 0414704709