There are encouraging signs for the endangered Maugean skate, with a new monitoring report finding that a new cohort of skates born in Macquarie Harbour has reached adulthood.
Researchers from the University of Tasmania’s Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies (IMAS) have released the 2025 Macquarie Harbour Maugean skate population status and monitoring report , aimed at assessing trends in the species’ relative abundance across years and informing future conservation efforts.
“Monitoring of the Maugean skate population in Macquarie Harbour is critical to ensure the most contemporary information is available,” said Dr Bailee Woolley, a Maugean skate biologist and ecologist at IMAS.
As previously reported, relative abundance declined significantly between 2014 and 2022.
After a gap of several years between monitoring the skate population in Macquarie Harbour, systematic population monitoring recommenced in 2021.
Since 2023, relative abundance has increased and is now more similar to levels estimated for 2014.
Along with higher relative abundance, the 2025 survey marks the first-year scientists could detect individual skates born during the monitoring period reaching adulthood – an essential step for recovery.
“A high proportion of individuals captured as adults in 2025 were linked to the 2020 and 2021 cohorts, providing evidence that some recent juveniles have survived to maturity,” said Dr Woolley.
IMAS marine ecologist and skate research and captive management program leader Professor Jayson Semmens said the skate still remains at risk and recovery isn’t yet assured.
“Given the significant population decline suggested from the change in relative abundance estimates between 2014 and 2022 previously reported, juveniles surviving through to maturity is good news,” he said.
“However, some years are producing stronger juvenile survival than others. While variability in recruitment is expected, periods of lower recruitment may leave the population more exposed to adverse environmental conditions.
“Multiple consecutive years of juvenile survival through to maturity will likely be required before there is a sustained recovery.
“Maugean skates take about four to six years to mature and have short reproductive lifespans, meaning a single successful breeding event may not be enough to support long-term population growth unless its followed by further successful pulses,” Professor Semmens said.
While relative abundance has increased since 2022, there has also been an increase in the variability around its estimation, which may be related to changes in behaviour and distribution within the harbour during this period.
“To better understand this variability in our monitoring, an acoustic tracking program is currently underway in Macquarie Harbour to better understand the relationship between skate population trends and behaviour in Macquarie Harbour,” Professor Semmens said.
“This tracking data will help examine behavioural changes influencing catchability, assess whether individuals are redistributing among sites, and identify seasonal habitat shifts.
The Macquarie Harbour Maugean skate monitoring program at the University of Tasmania’s Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies (IMAS) is supported by funding from the Tasmanian Government’s Threatened Species Fund, administered by the Department of Natural Resources and Environment Tasmania (NRE Tas).
Cover image: Macquarie Harbour
Credit: Jayson Semmens IMAS
