Plibersek's pledge for no new extinctions under threat as researchers issue dire warning on Tasmanian maugean skate

Researchers fear another pulse event could push the species to the brink of extinction. (Supplied: Jane Ruckert)

Environment minister Tanya Plibersek's target of preventing any new extinctions of plants and animals is headed for failure without swift intervention, scientists warn.

Researchers from the Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies (IMAS) said a single extreme weather event could be enough to push the species some call the "Tasmanian tiger of the sea" to the brink of extinction.