Fish out of water

Chunks of dead salmon have washed up on Tasmanian beaches and the Maugean skate is at risk of extinction, so why won’t governments to more to rein in the salmon industry in Tasmania?
On this episode of Follow the Money, Eloise Carr, Director of the Australia Institute Tasmania, the Federal Government’s dangerous proposal to get around Australia’s already inadequate environmental protections and why salmon farming in Macquarie Harbour needs to end.
This discussion was recorded on Wednesday 19 March 2025 and things may have changed since recording.
Sign our petition to end salmon farming in Macquarie Harbour.
Order What’s the Big Idea? 32 Big Ideas for a Better Australia now, via the Australia Institute website.
Guest: Eloise Carr, Director, the Australia Institute Tasmania // @eloise-carr
Host: Ebony Bennett, Deputy Director, the Australia Institute // @ebonybennett
Show notes:
Bombshell FOI reveals fish farms have been inadequately assessed for impact on threatened species and World Heritage, the Australia Institute (March 2025)
Australians must be protected from diseased salmon, the Australia Institute (February 2025)
Theme music: Blue Dot Sessions
We’d love to hear your feedback on this series, so send in your questions, comments or suggestions for future episodes to podcasts@australiainstitute.org.au.
Between the Lines Newsletter
The biggest stories and the best analysis from the team at the Australia Institute, delivered to your inbox every fortnight.
You might also like
UNESCO alerted to impact of salmon farming on World Heritage Area
UNESCO has been urged to request the Australian Government undertake an urgent and comprehensive environmental assessment and report on the impact of salmon farming on the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area (TWWHA).
Tide of public opinion supports stopping fish farming in Macquarie Harbour
One year on from the commencement of the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 reconsideration of salmon farming in Macquarie Harbour, new research released by The Australia Institute today shows a majority of Australians continue to support stopping fish farming where it risks the extinction of the Maugean skate.
Top Australian scientists unite in defence of science on Maugean skate
An ancient and endangered skate (related to rays and sharks), which can only be found in a remote corner of western Tasmania, could be wiped out by salmon farming, prompting an extraordinary warning from some of the nation’s foremost marine scientists. 14 Professors and five Fellows from the Australian Academy of Science are among more than