THE HON TANYA PLIBERSEK MP
MINISTER FOR THE ENVIRONMENT AND WATER

MEDIA RELEASE

​

Tuesday, 13 August 2024

​

Maugean Skate born in captivity brings hope for ancient species

​

In a world first, a baby Maugean Skate has successfully hatched from a captive-laid egg.

​

The captive breeding program, funded by the Albanese Labor Government, is run by scientists at the University of Tasmania’s Institute of Marine and Antarctic Studies (IMAS).

​

The first hatchling, a female, arrived on 10 July after about 7 months developing in the IMAS facility at Taroona.

​

The baby skate is healthy and growing fast and will likely become an important member of the captive breeding program.

​

The captive breeding program is expected to see many more baby skate hatch in coming weeks and months.

​

Sadly, the Maugean Skate population has almost halved in the past decade in Tasmania’s Macquarie Harbour, the only place in the world where it still exists. This successful breeding program will help make sure the Maugean Skate will survive for generations to come.

​

The Maugean Skate is one of 110 species prioritised for recovery under the Albanese Government’s Threatened Species Action Plan.

​

Quotes attributable to the Minister for the Environment and Water the Hon Tanya Plibersek:

​

“On Threatened Species Day last year, I announced over $2.1 million to initiate this captive breeding program – part of the $5.7 million in Albanese Government funding to help protect the skate.

​

“It is fantastic news that the University of Tasmania has achieved such great outcomes in such a short time.

​

“But the battle to ensure the future for the endangered Maugean Skate is by no means won.

​

“We’ll keep working with industry, environmentalists and the Tasmanian Government on restoring the health of the harbour.”

​

ENDS