An expert committee that decided not to list an ancient fish as critically endangered last year may be about to change its mind.
An urgent report released last week warned the maugean skate is on the brink of extinction and could be one extreme weather event away from vanishing forever.
The ancient species is now only found in Macquarie Harbour in Tasmania. A recent survey found no evidence of another previously known population in Bathurst Harbour.
Despite being listed as endangered since 2004, the maugean skate has never had a recovery plan.
On May 26, senators were told the Threatened Species Scientific Committee, which advises the federal government on endangered species, considered the skate’s plight last year….