Logging threat fears for rare lobster

Experts fear a planned logging operation in Tasmania's north-west threatens the survival of the Tasmanian giant freshwater lobster.

A river system near Wynyard has been earmarked for logging by Forestry Tasmania, despite the area being known as one of the last strong holds of the vulnerable lobster.

The coupe is not listed for immediate protection under Tasmania's $276 million forest peace deal, but is being assessed for inclusion in future reserves of high conservation value forest.

Lobster expert Todd Walsh says sediment run-off from logging operations could decimate lobster populations and the area should be given immediate protection.

"Sediment covers their homes, which means the juvenile lobsters have nowhere to live, which means they're exposed to predators like platypus and blackfish."

"But also it covers up their food supply so they either starve to death or they get eaten; so sediment basically wipes them out."

Mr Walsh says the area is an important study site.

"This tributary runs into probably the most surveyed lobster spot on the planet, so there's been more lobsters surveyed and tagged downstream from this tributary than anywhere else.

"So it's probably the most important site that we've got," he said.

Meanwhile Forestry Tasmania has denied plans to log a key habitat of the giant freshwater lobster go against the spirit of the forest peace deal.

Ken Jefferys from Forestry Tasmania says it is harvesting the coupe to meet supply agreements, as it is required to do under the forest agreement.

"Only a few weeks ago we had to send a consignment from the south of the state to the north west with sawlogs to keep those mills operating, we are in a very constrained space, whenever you lock up more forests our capacity to reschedule, to adopt flexibility is significantly reduced."

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2011-11-09/20111109-logging-threat-fears-for-rare-lobster/3655276