The kanamaluka/Tamar estuary is an iconic part of the Tasmanian landscape and as the longest navigable estuary in Australia it plays an important part in our cultural and natural heritage.

Over 2,000 generations of Aboriginal people have cared for and lived from the rich resources of the estuary, and it continues to be a valued landscape for Tasmanian Aboriginal people.

Stretching for more than 70 kilometres, the estuary features deep channels, shallow mud flats, strong tidal currents and an environment that supports a high diversity of marine life and important habitats like seagrass and spectacular rocky reefs.

The estuary has long been vulnerable to poor environmental management with issues such as modification and pollution having an impact on the estuary’s health.

Improving the health of the estuary is about the overall value of the system for people, wildlife, aquatic animals and plant life. It is a fine balance between public health, ecological health, the local economy, and recreational amenity.

The Tamar Estuary Management Taskforce (TEMT) was established to bring together all the organisations; business, local and state government; to improve and deliver a healthier estuary. It is a collaborative partnership, designed to make sure all of our individual efforts are coordinated for the benefit of the health and management of the Estuary.

The Taskforce is an advisory body, which seeks to explore and provide options and advice to the Tasmanian Government on how to develop and manage the kanamaluka/Tamar Estuary. The membership includes those government departments, agencies, local government authorities and expert bodies with responsibilities for the Estuary.