• Nearly two-thirds (65%) of Tasmanians support reducing salmon farming to the level necessary to protect the Maugean skate 
• Only 30% of Tasmanians support the introduction of special laws for the salmon industry. In all five Tasmanian Federal electorates opposition to special laws has double digit lead over support. 
• The Albanese government is set to introduce an EPBC Amendment (Reconsiderations) Bill through parliament this week, after the PM promised the salmon industry a special law to keep salmon farming in Macquarie Harbour, despite science linking farms in the harbour with the potential extinction of the dinosaur-era Maugean skate.
• The Coalition has stated their support to keep salmon farming in the harbour.

According to new polling, the majority (65%) of Tasmanians support reducing salmon farming to the level necessary to protect the endangered Maugean skate. Support is across all Federal electorates, including swing seats Braddon (60%); Bass (60%); Lyons (58%).

The fate of the Maugean skate has become a political football in recent months. This week the Albanese Government is expected to introduce an EPBC Amendment Bill to parliament that, based on a promise made by Prime Minister Albanese to the salmon industry, will allow salmon farming to remain in Macquarie Harbour despite a review underway by the Environment Minister and scientific advice that states farms are “catastrophic” to the skate’s survival.

“Clearly ,Tasmanians want to protect this Gondwana-era animal from extinction even if it means reducing salmon in Macquarie Harbour. The Federal Government’s intention to save the salmon industry, and not the skate, does not make any sense or align with what Tasmanians want,” said Matt Testoni, Environment Tasmania Campaigner. 

Further, only 30% of Tasmanians support introducing special laws that exempt salmon farming companies from the same approval processes as other industries. In all five electorates, opposition (i.e., those that oppose (46%) giving special laws to the salmon industry) has double digits lead over support. “This is a strong baseline of opposition particularly given the Tasmanian electorate is yet to even know what this special legislation will entail,” said Testoni. 

The polling also found that 59% of Tasmanians are concerned about salmon farming either environmentally and/or for health reasons; and that 74% are aware of salmon farming as an issue.

YouGov conducted polling of 1068 Tasmanians online between March 14th and March 21st 2025 and was weighted to a politically representative sample of all Tasmanians aged 18 or over.