Environment Minister Murray Watt has chosen not to change the endangered status of a rare Tasmanian skate species.

The Maugean skate is found only in Macquarie Harbour on the state’s west coast.

Mr Watt said he received a public request to “uplist the Maugean skate’s listing from endangered to critically endangered”.

“Based on scientific advice I have decided to retain the Maugean skate’s status as endangered, on Australia’s list of threatened species,” he said on Friday.

“The decision was informed by the advice of the independent Threatened Species Scientific Committee and contributions from the Tasmanian government, researchers and public comments.”

Tasmania’s environment department had previously pushed for the Maugean skate to remain listed as endangered, arguing that draft conservation advice “relies heavily on information, data or assumptions that are highly uncertain, outdated or otherwise contested”.

Mr Watt said the federal government “remains steadfast in its commitment to ensure the Maugean skate does not go extinct on our watch”.

“This decision does not change the need to undertake critical actions for the Maugean skate and its home in Macquarie Harbour.”

A study by the Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies found Maugean skate numbers had declined by 47 per cent between 2014 and 2021 due to reduced dissolved oxygen levels. 

Salmon farms were considered a main contributor.