Tell your pension fund: save the skate

 It was the biggest nature resolution in the world last year: 39% of Coles shareholders and 30% of Woolworths shareholders defied their Board’s recommendations and voted to save the Maugean skate from extinction.

This stingray-like animal that’s been around since the dinosaurs is at risk because of salmon farming in Macquarie Harbour. The supermarkets need to stop sourcing salmon from Macquarie Harbour, or they risk linking themselves with an extinction event.

The supermarket AGMs are fast approaching again. And once again they’re facing resolutions asking them to save the skate. Now it's time to use your power as an investor. If you have retirement savings in a superannuation fund you have shares in Coles and Woolworths. Your super fund will vote on these resolutions to save the skate. 

Use the easy tool to email your super fund and tell them that you want your retirement money funding a positive future where animals thrive. Can you ask them to vote FOR the resolutions to save the skate, and if your fund did vote for the resolutions last year (amazing), ask them to do it again.

Please edit the draft email to make it your own. Introduce yourself and say why you care about this.

Can't see your fund listed? Their email address will be available online. You can copy and paste the draft email below to send yourself:

Dear Fund Manager,

As a member of your fund I care about how my money is invested, and I care about the Maugean skate in lutruwita/Tasmania. This stingray-like animal that’s been around since the dinosaurs is at risk of extinction because of salmon farming in Macquarie Harbour.

The skate only has one home left–Macquarie Harbour. But the supermarkets could easily buy salmon from other places.

This year the supermarkets are once again facing resolutions to save the skate. I do not want my retirement money funding an extinction event. On my behalf I’m asking you to please vote:

 * FOR the resolution to identify and report on the impacts of farmed seafood on endangered species  

 * FOR the resolution to align their seafood sourcing policy with global best practice and report on progress meeting these standards

Giant industrial salmon and ocean trout pens have a chokehold over the skate’s last remaining habitat in Macquarie Harbour. Waste matter and uneaten salmon feed from fish farms pollute the harbour, reducing the water's oxygen levels and suffocating the skate.

Those supermarket resolutions last year made history. They were the largest nature risk resolutions globally. These resolutions could save the endangered skate from extinction and demonstrate how seriously you take protecting nature as part of your responsibility to act in the best interests of your members. I look forward to hearing how you plan on voting this year.

Sincerely,