Woolworths targeted by protesters for being 'complicit in extinction of Aussie species'

The rapid demise of the Maugean skate has been linked to farmed salmon, a product Woolworths and Coles claim is 'responsibly sourced'.

A protest outside Woolworths in Sydney.
Woolworths was targeted by protesters for selling farmed salmon that’s been linked to the near extinction of the Maugean skate. Source: Bob Brown Foundation

Woolworths claims it is “unsure” why protests across Australia this week only targeted its supermarkets when other retailers also purchase the same controversial fish products. The retail giant advertises its own-brand label farmed salmon as sustainable and responsibly sourced even though its production has been linked to the near extinction of a native species.

“With Coles, Aldi, independent fish shops and restaurants also selling salmon from these producers, we are unsure why these protests have only focussed on our stores,” it told Yahoo News.

The supermarket was referring to its continued sourcing of salmon from Tasmania’s Macquarie Harbour, the only habitat for the endangered Maugean skate. Between 40 and 120 mature individuals remain in the wild, and the species' demise has been linked to depleted oxygen levels in the water caused by fish farms.

Protesters from Bob Brown Foundation, an organisation formed by the Greens Party founder, has targeted supermarkets that sell salmon farmed in Maugean skate habitat accusing them of being "complicit in the extinction of a species". Woolworths is not the only supplier the group has protested against, earlier this month its members stood outside local retailer Hill Street Grocer.

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Left: A responsibly sourced salmon sign at Woolworths. Right: Farmed salmon at Coles.
Australia’s supermarkets claim farmed salmon linked to the near extinction of the Maugean skate is sustainable. Source: Supplied

Protesters targeted Woolworths on Wednesday, ahead of the company’s AGM today. The Maugean skate is scheduled to be raised at the meeting after a small group of investors proposed several resolutions which Woolworths confirmed it opposes.

Similar resolutions will be raised at Coles’ upcoming AGM. And Yahoo understands protests are also planned in the lead-up.

“Woolworths is directly involved in causing the extinction of the Maugean Skate,“ the Foundation’s Alistair Allan claimed.

“We have met with the company, and they are completely informed on the impact that toxic farmed salmon is having in Macquarie Harbour, yet they are choosing to keep selling it. This is like Woolworths selling shark fins or rhino horn. Tasmanian salmon is causing an extinction and Woolworths must remove it from their shelves.”

A maugean skate on the ocean floor.
Tasmania's maugean skate could be extinct in less than a decade. Source: Jane Rucker/IMAS

The Foundation is one of several high-profile conservation groups including Humane Society International and the Australian Marine Conservation Society, that have raised serious concerns about the Maugean skate’s demise.

This week, Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek sparked an uproar after she delayed ruling on whether the species should be declared critically endangered until after the next election. A federal uplisting of the species would likely have forced a rethink on salmon farming in Macquarie Harbour, and supermarkets are refusing to budge on their procurement of salmon from the region until the minister’s review is complete.

In a statement to Yahoo, Woolworths directly cited the government’s delayed review as a reason not to make changes to its procurement of salmon from Macquarie Harbour. It noted a decision to stop purchasing salmon from Macquarie Harbour could have “serious negative impacts” on jobs and the community, and any changes need to be informed by “all the information available”.

“Independent scientific research is still underway to gain a more accurate picture of the Skate population and salmon farming in Macquarie Harbour, in addition to a Federal Government review,” it said.

“As a large retailer, we believe it is only responsible to wait for the outcome of the scientific research and government review currently underway.”

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