New data has revealed approximately 1,150 tonnes of dead salmon were removed from Macquarie Harbour between September 2023 and March 2024.
The data, released under RTI by Tasmania’s Department of Natural Resources and Environment, shows that January was the most challenging month, with 313,895kg of dead salmon recorded, the highest number in the seven-month period.
According to Salmon Tasmania CEO Luke Martin, deaths in the aquaculture industry can occur due to various reasons.
“There is no relevance between these numbers and the health of Macquarie Harbour, in fact, the Tasmanian Environment Protection Authority recently announced the current conditions in the harbour are the best in over a decade,” he said.
The Bob Brown Foundation says the new figures are “proof that salmon farms could care less about their salmon, the environment, or the survival and welfare of living creatures”.
“The RSPCA must immediately revoke certifications of Tasmanian farmed salmon or they will lose all credibility,” said Alistair Allan, the foundation’s Antarctic and Marine Campaigner.
“They cannot condone such huge loss of life, primarily caused by overstocking, disease and all manner of cruelty inflicted upon these creatures.”
A government spokesperson maintained that mortality notifications are routinely received and disclosed publicly.
“Mortality can occur for a number of reasons with notifications of significant or sustained mortality events required to ensure appropriate biosecurity and animal welfare measures can be implemented where necessary,” they said.
