Tasmania biodiversity concerns raised on Threatened Species Day

On National Threatened Species Day, discussions regarding biodiversity in Tasmania highlight both conservation efforts and ongoing environmental risks. In the state's inland waterways, 13 of the 27 native fish species—nearly 48 per cent—are considered threatened under state or national legislation. Most of these species belong to the Galaxiidae family and are unique to specific waterbodies due to the region's geology and climate. The Inland Fisheries Service (IFS) manages these populations through long-term monitoring and collaboration with organizations such as CSIRO and the University of Tasmania to balance recreational fisheries with species health.

Simultaneously, political voices including the Tasmanian Greens have raised alarms regarding the status of over 650 listed plants and animals. They argue that human activities, including salmon farming, native forest logging, and the spread of bird flu, pose significant risks to iconic species like the Orange-bellied parrot and the Tasmanian devil. Critics have also pointed to an aging Threatened Species Strategy and reduced funding for protection programs as major obstacles to addressing the current biodiversity crisis.