Expansion of Tasmania's salmon industry paused for major review
The Tasmanian government on Sunday announced it will conduct an independent study of the industry.
The study is expected to ascertain whether environmental standards and legislation need to be strengthened or changed as well as international methods of fish-farming.
Disease and antibiotic use are also expected to be on the agenda as the state battles the bacteria Piscirickettsia salmonis, with more than 3 million salmon dying from the disease last summer, according to the Bob Brown Foundation.
The marine expansion of the industry will be paused while the study is carried out.
Tasmanian Premier Jeremy Rockliff said the government was 'on the side of Tasmanians' and expected to see practical reforms and regulations to protect the environment and the industry.
'To support the salmon industry to meet its social license in line with contemporary environmental expectations, we will deliver an independent study of the industry,' Mr Rockliff said.
'I said clearly, after the mass mortality event of last summer, the industry is on notice.
'I do not resile from that. We must always seek to strike a balance between sustainable primary industries and our unique natural environments in which they operate.'
An independent off-island specialist will be brought in to conduct the study.
Salmon Tasmania chief executive officer John Whittington accused state premier Jeremy Rockliff of 'strangling growth' and breaking commitments to appease the Greens and Independents.
'The Premier has gone back on his word and commitments and shamefully let down every salmon worker, their families, and communities across the state,' Mr Whittington said in a statement on Sunday.
'The Premier has let down the salmon aquaculture industry; strangling growth, guaranteeing a whole host of new red tape, and significantly undermining confidence and investment.'
Mr Whittington said Tasmanian industries, workers, and their families deserved better than being treated like a 'political plaything that is traded away for power'.
'This decision abandons regional Tasmania and sends a dangerous message to any business considering investing in our state,' he said.
However Mr Rockliff stood by his decision on Sunday morning, telling reporters the industry should 'embrace' the move.
'This is not something that the industry should fear, it's actually something that the industry should embrace, and embrace the fact that we are wanting to support the industry become better,' he said.
'Better when it comes to the environment … to supporting Tasmania and all the regional Tasmanians and all the jobs that they employ.'
The decision comes just days after Minister for Primary Industries and Water Gavin Pearce on Friday stated an antibiotic, Florfenicol, was being considered by the industry and experts among other options to combat Piscirickettsia salmonis.
However, Mr Pearce noted it hasn't been used in large amounts in Australia.
'A range of options are being considered by industry and experts to deal with Piscirickettsia salmonis, including vaccine development, adjusting production strategies and improving fish health surveillance,' Mr Pearce said.
'Industry has also advised of an alternative antibiotic, Florfenicol, that it wants to use … Our independent EPA and chief veterinary officer will play an important role in providing advice to government and to industry on its use.'
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