Latest news with #SalmonTasmania
News.com.au
2 days ago
- Business
- News.com.au
Expansion of Tasmania's salmon industry paused for major review
A decision to stop marine expansion of Tasmania's salmon industry has been slammed as 'shameful'. 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.'
The Advertiser
5 days ago
- Politics
- The Advertiser
Salmon farms green lit, but conservation fight not over
An endangered fish has had the "final nail" in its coffin driven by the federal government after it gave the green light for ongoing salmon farming in a remote harbour. That's the view of environmentalists who have vowed to maintain their legal fight against aquaculture in Tasmania's Macquarie Harbour. It was revealed on Thursday Federal Environment Minister Murray Watt had ended a reconsideration of aquaculture approvals in the harbour, based on new national laws. "(The) decision allows for the continuation of salmon farming in Macquarie Harbour," he said. The reconsideration process was sparked in late 2023 by conservation groups, who argue salmon farming needs to stop to safeguard the endangered Maugean skate. It is estimated there are 40-120 adult skate in the harbour, the species' only home, with salmon farming and hydro flows among factors contributing to their decline. Mr Watt spruiked $18.3 million for an artificial pumping program designed to replace oxygen in the water consumed by salmon farming. The federal government's decision was based on "all relevant information", Mr Watt said. The decision was possible after law changes removed the minister's ability to reconsider previous decisions if they had been ongoing for at least five years. Critics argued the laws, passed in March before the May election, were rushed. Mr Watt's decision on Macquarie Harbour came a week before a Bob Brown Foundation challenge to the laws was set to be heard in the Federal Court. Foundation campaigner Alistair Allan accused the federal government of driving the final nail in the coffin of the skate. He said next week's Federal Court action was now dead, but fresh legal action would be launched based on the grounds the law doesn't apply to industrial fish farming in the harbour "It is a disgrace that a species that was identified by the Albanese government as a priority threatened species in 2022 has been purposely abandoned by 2025," Mr Allan said. Industry body Salmon Tasmania said the decision provided certainty for the 400-plus workers who depended on aquaculture in the harbour. There had been a body of new information showing improvements in the harbour's health since 2023, Salmon Tasmania CEO John Whittington said. A University of Tasmania study published in February found there had been a significant decline in the skate's abundance from 2014-2022, but numbers had risen since. Greens Senator Peter Whish-Wilson accused the federal government of dodging accountability with the timing of their decision. "The only reason this decision has been made by the minister now is to scuttle the Federal Court case. The Albanese government had two years to make this decision and didn't," he said. An endangered fish has had the "final nail" in its coffin driven by the federal government after it gave the green light for ongoing salmon farming in a remote harbour. That's the view of environmentalists who have vowed to maintain their legal fight against aquaculture in Tasmania's Macquarie Harbour. It was revealed on Thursday Federal Environment Minister Murray Watt had ended a reconsideration of aquaculture approvals in the harbour, based on new national laws. "(The) decision allows for the continuation of salmon farming in Macquarie Harbour," he said. The reconsideration process was sparked in late 2023 by conservation groups, who argue salmon farming needs to stop to safeguard the endangered Maugean skate. It is estimated there are 40-120 adult skate in the harbour, the species' only home, with salmon farming and hydro flows among factors contributing to their decline. Mr Watt spruiked $18.3 million for an artificial pumping program designed to replace oxygen in the water consumed by salmon farming. The federal government's decision was based on "all relevant information", Mr Watt said. The decision was possible after law changes removed the minister's ability to reconsider previous decisions if they had been ongoing for at least five years. Critics argued the laws, passed in March before the May election, were rushed. Mr Watt's decision on Macquarie Harbour came a week before a Bob Brown Foundation challenge to the laws was set to be heard in the Federal Court. Foundation campaigner Alistair Allan accused the federal government of driving the final nail in the coffin of the skate. He said next week's Federal Court action was now dead, but fresh legal action would be launched based on the grounds the law doesn't apply to industrial fish farming in the harbour "It is a disgrace that a species that was identified by the Albanese government as a priority threatened species in 2022 has been purposely abandoned by 2025," Mr Allan said. Industry body Salmon Tasmania said the decision provided certainty for the 400-plus workers who depended on aquaculture in the harbour. There had been a body of new information showing improvements in the harbour's health since 2023, Salmon Tasmania CEO John Whittington said. A University of Tasmania study published in February found there had been a significant decline in the skate's abundance from 2014-2022, but numbers had risen since. Greens Senator Peter Whish-Wilson accused the federal government of dodging accountability with the timing of their decision. "The only reason this decision has been made by the minister now is to scuttle the Federal Court case. The Albanese government had two years to make this decision and didn't," he said. An endangered fish has had the "final nail" in its coffin driven by the federal government after it gave the green light for ongoing salmon farming in a remote harbour. That's the view of environmentalists who have vowed to maintain their legal fight against aquaculture in Tasmania's Macquarie Harbour. It was revealed on Thursday Federal Environment Minister Murray Watt had ended a reconsideration of aquaculture approvals in the harbour, based on new national laws. "(The) decision allows for the continuation of salmon farming in Macquarie Harbour," he said. The reconsideration process was sparked in late 2023 by conservation groups, who argue salmon farming needs to stop to safeguard the endangered Maugean skate. It is estimated there are 40-120 adult skate in the harbour, the species' only home, with salmon farming and hydro flows among factors contributing to their decline. Mr Watt spruiked $18.3 million for an artificial pumping program designed to replace oxygen in the water consumed by salmon farming. The federal government's decision was based on "all relevant information", Mr Watt said. The decision was possible after law changes removed the minister's ability to reconsider previous decisions if they had been ongoing for at least five years. Critics argued the laws, passed in March before the May election, were rushed. Mr Watt's decision on Macquarie Harbour came a week before a Bob Brown Foundation challenge to the laws was set to be heard in the Federal Court. Foundation campaigner Alistair Allan accused the federal government of driving the final nail in the coffin of the skate. He said next week's Federal Court action was now dead, but fresh legal action would be launched based on the grounds the law doesn't apply to industrial fish farming in the harbour "It is a disgrace that a species that was identified by the Albanese government as a priority threatened species in 2022 has been purposely abandoned by 2025," Mr Allan said. Industry body Salmon Tasmania said the decision provided certainty for the 400-plus workers who depended on aquaculture in the harbour. There had been a body of new information showing improvements in the harbour's health since 2023, Salmon Tasmania CEO John Whittington said. A University of Tasmania study published in February found there had been a significant decline in the skate's abundance from 2014-2022, but numbers had risen since. Greens Senator Peter Whish-Wilson accused the federal government of dodging accountability with the timing of their decision. "The only reason this decision has been made by the minister now is to scuttle the Federal Court case. The Albanese government had two years to make this decision and didn't," he said. An endangered fish has had the "final nail" in its coffin driven by the federal government after it gave the green light for ongoing salmon farming in a remote harbour. That's the view of environmentalists who have vowed to maintain their legal fight against aquaculture in Tasmania's Macquarie Harbour. It was revealed on Thursday Federal Environment Minister Murray Watt had ended a reconsideration of aquaculture approvals in the harbour, based on new national laws. "(The) decision allows for the continuation of salmon farming in Macquarie Harbour," he said. The reconsideration process was sparked in late 2023 by conservation groups, who argue salmon farming needs to stop to safeguard the endangered Maugean skate. It is estimated there are 40-120 adult skate in the harbour, the species' only home, with salmon farming and hydro flows among factors contributing to their decline. Mr Watt spruiked $18.3 million for an artificial pumping program designed to replace oxygen in the water consumed by salmon farming. The federal government's decision was based on "all relevant information", Mr Watt said. The decision was possible after law changes removed the minister's ability to reconsider previous decisions if they had been ongoing for at least five years. Critics argued the laws, passed in March before the May election, were rushed. Mr Watt's decision on Macquarie Harbour came a week before a Bob Brown Foundation challenge to the laws was set to be heard in the Federal Court. Foundation campaigner Alistair Allan accused the federal government of driving the final nail in the coffin of the skate. He said next week's Federal Court action was now dead, but fresh legal action would be launched based on the grounds the law doesn't apply to industrial fish farming in the harbour "It is a disgrace that a species that was identified by the Albanese government as a priority threatened species in 2022 has been purposely abandoned by 2025," Mr Allan said. Industry body Salmon Tasmania said the decision provided certainty for the 400-plus workers who depended on aquaculture in the harbour. There had been a body of new information showing improvements in the harbour's health since 2023, Salmon Tasmania CEO John Whittington said. A University of Tasmania study published in February found there had been a significant decline in the skate's abundance from 2014-2022, but numbers had risen since. Greens Senator Peter Whish-Wilson accused the federal government of dodging accountability with the timing of their decision. "The only reason this decision has been made by the minister now is to scuttle the Federal Court case. The Albanese government had two years to make this decision and didn't," he said.
Perth Now
5 days ago
- Politics
- Perth Now
Salmon farms green lit, but conservation fight not over
An endangered fish has had the "final nail" in its coffin driven by the federal government after it gave the green light for ongoing salmon farming in a remote harbour. That's the view of environmentalists who have vowed to maintain their legal fight against aquaculture in Tasmania's Macquarie Harbour. It was revealed on Thursday Federal Environment Minister Murray Watt had ended a reconsideration of aquaculture approvals in the harbour, based on new national laws. "(The) decision allows for the continuation of salmon farming in Macquarie Harbour," he said. The reconsideration process was sparked in late 2023 by conservation groups, who argue salmon farming needs to stop to safeguard the endangered Maugean skate. It is estimated there are 40-120 adult skate in the harbour, the species' only home, with salmon farming and hydro flows among factors contributing to their decline. Mr Watt spruiked $18.3 million for an artificial pumping program designed to replace oxygen in the water consumed by salmon farming. The federal government's decision was based on "all relevant information", Mr Watt said. The decision was possible after law changes removed the minister's ability to reconsider previous decisions if they had been ongoing for at least five years. Critics argued the laws, passed in March before the May election, were rushed. Mr Watt's decision on Macquarie Harbour came a week before a Bob Brown Foundation challenge to the laws was set to be heard in the Federal Court. Foundation campaigner Alistair Allan accused the federal government of driving the final nail in the coffin of the skate. He said next week's Federal Court action was now dead, but fresh legal action would be launched based on the grounds the law doesn't apply to industrial fish farming in the harbour "It is a disgrace that a species that was identified by the Albanese government as a priority threatened species in 2022 has been purposely abandoned by 2025," Mr Allan said. Industry body Salmon Tasmania said the decision provided certainty for the 400-plus workers who depended on aquaculture in the harbour. There had been a body of new information showing improvements in the harbour's health since 2023, Salmon Tasmania CEO John Whittington said. A University of Tasmania study published in February found there had been a significant decline in the skate's abundance from 2014-2022, but numbers had risen since. Greens Senator Peter Whish-Wilson accused the federal government of dodging accountability with the timing of their decision. "The only reason this decision has been made by the minister now is to scuttle the Federal Court case. The Albanese government had two years to make this decision and didn't," he said.
Perth Now
06-05-2025
- Politics
- Perth Now
Kilotonnes of dead salmon spark call for farm scrutiny
Almost 10,000 tonnes of farmed salmon died across two months during an unprecedented mass mortality, prompting a renewed call for further scrutiny. Tasmania's salmon industry apologised in March after a spike in deaths at pens in the state's south due to a bacterial outbreak and fish matter washed up on beaches. Some 3395 tonnes of fish died in pens statewide in March, according to the latest data from the state's environmental regulator. This comes after more than 6300 tonnes died in February, with the combined 9695 tonnes comprising about 13 per cent of Tasmania's annual farmed salmon production. The Environmental Protection Authority has declared the unprecedented mortality event over, noting fish deaths had declined by almost half. "Water temperatures are falling and there has been a significant decline in the number of pens above the mortality reporting thresholds in April," the authority's chief executive Catherine Murdoch said. Laws requiring salmon farms to report death tonnage to the regulator, which then makes the numbers public, have only recently been implemented. The regulator said it was unable to provide data about the tonnage of deaths prior to February, while industry body Salmon Tasmania has been contacted for comment. The Greens renewed calls for a parliamentary inquiry, saying more information needed to be made public. "Ten million kilograms of dead fish equates to around 2.5 million mature Atlantic salmon that have suffered a cruel death," Greens leader Rosalie Woodruff said. "However, the (regulator) can't or won't provide an accurate breakdown of which leases these deaths occurred within, or even which region of Tasmania they occurred in. "The unchecked outbreak of disease throughout Tasmania is a biosecurity disaster of unprecedented scale in modern history." Water monitoring no longer detects antibiotics used to treat the disease, the regulator says. Huon Aquaculture, one of the companies caught up in the mass mortality, was stripped of its RSPCA green tick after video captured workers sealing live salmon in tubs with dead salmon. The governing state Liberals and Labor opposition support the industry. The mass mortality event was "really traumatic", Environment Minister Madeleine Ogilvie told state parliament on Tuesday. The regulator says it will continue to receive and monitor data and will publish mortality weight information quarterly.
News24
29-04-2025
- General
- News24
Dead salmon create election stink on Australian island
A mass die-off of salmon in farming pens in Tasmania has resulted in stinky remains washing ashore at Verona Sands. Tasmania's environmental regulator described the die-off in salmon pens in the area as an "unprecedented salmon mortality event". The Tasmanian fish farming industry produces 75 000 tonnes of Atlantic salmon a year - 90% of Australia's total output. On a tree-lined beach in Australia's rugged island state of Tasmania, locals discovered popcorn-sized bits of dead salmon washed up along the sand. When the stinky remains landed in Verona Sands, population 131, they stirred up a festering environment-versus-industry row shortly before Saturday's general elections. The fish remnants found in February were traced to a mass die-off from vast, circular salmon farming pens set up in the waters of the surrounding Tasman Sea estuary. The Tasmanian fish farming industry produces 75 000 tonnes of Atlantic salmon a year - 90% of Australia's total output. But in the warm, summer temperatures, a bacterium had taken hold in some of the salmon pens. "What I saw was little chunks, the size of small plums, and they were scattered the entire length of the beach," said Jess Coughlin, a campaigner with community group Neighbours of Fish Farming. When she sought advice to identify the mystery morsels, a diver who had worked in fish farms told her the industry referred to them as popcorn. "It's a common occurrence when the fish are left dead in the pens for a number of days and they start to rot and break down," Coughlin told AFP. Rotting salmon At first, the dead salmon sink. "The flesh and fat pull away from the body and, because of the pressure of the water and the wave action, as it makes its way up to the surface it clumps into these balls." Dead salmon falling apart within pens where fish are still being grown for human consumption is "incredibly disturbing", she said. Tasmania's environmental regulator described the die-off in salmon pens in the area - the D'Entrecasteaux Channel - as an "unprecedented salmon mortality event". The state's chief veterinary officer, Kevin de Witte, reported that in the warm, summer waters, the fish had been infected with an endemic bacterium, Piscirickettsia salmonis. "P. salmonis fish bacterium does not grow in humans and do not present a human or animal health, or food safety risk," he assured people. Industry body Salmon Tasmania said the microbe had devastated some farms in the area, and operators worked around the clock to clean up the mess and keep fish healthy. READ | Morocco volunteers on Sahara clean-up mission 'Catastrophe' "While industry always does its utmost to raise healthy fish, just like all animals and primary producers, salmon and our farms are not immune to the vagaries of our natural environment," it said. Some estimates put the number of dead salmon in the millions, said the Bob Brown Foundation, named after its co-founder, an environmentalist and former lawmaker. "This catastrophe is not just a 'natural vagary'," the foundation said. "This is the direct result of excessive nitrogen pollution, overstocking of pens, corrupt governance and a consequent failure to regulate, all directly attributable to the foreign-owned salmon corporations' endless greed." The salmon industry is notably blamed for threatening the existence of the endangered Maugean skate, a species of ray that grows to about the length of an adult person's arm. An estimated 4 100 Maugean skates remain in the world, and fewer than 120 of them are old enough to reproduce, according to the Australian Marine Conservation Society. They are found only in western Tasmania's Macquarie Harbour, which is also home to about 10% of the state's salmon industry. Official advice to the federal government in November 2023 said it may have to reconsider the industry's legality - and eventually even suspend its operations - due to scientific findings of an "increased extinction risk" to the skates. 'Anger and distress' Less than six weeks before the elections, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese's government intervened to block that possibility, saying it had to protect jobs. Parliament adopted a law curbing the environment minister's power to review years-old rulings - effectively shielding the Macquarie Bay salmon farmers. But the bay only represents 10% of Tasmania's salmon industry and it is a gateway to rural tourism, the environmentalist Bob Brown told AFP in the weeks leading up to the election. "There's a mood of anger and distress that I haven't seen for decades and it's getting stronger and there's a lot of young people involved and it's very heartening," Brown said. Some candidates in Tasmania are campaigning to bring a halt to salmon farming operations based in the open sea. "I think there will be a bigger vote away from the big parties," Brown predicted. "I think the vote against them will be a record."
