Tasmania’s salmon industry has used 700 kilograms of antibiotics across three sites in the D’Entrecasteaux Channel within two weeks, according to evidence presented at a budget estimates hearing.
That figure is more than triple the amount used across the entire state during the previous year.
Regulators approved the use of florfenicol in November to combat Piscirickettsia salmonis, the bacterial disease behind last summer’s mass-mortality event that wiped out millions of fish.
The latest round of antibiotic treatments has triggered an indefinite suspension of commercial rock-lobster fishing in the channel.
Authorities say the measure protects Tasmania’s export reputation from potential international restrictions over antibiotic residue concerns.
Recreational fishers are also subject to health advice to consider avoiding areas near impacted pens heading into the summer holidays.
Dr Raymond Bannister from the EPA’s salmon science division told the committee on Thursday that Tasmania’s antibiotic use remains low by international standards.
“Last year, we used 180 kilograms of antibiotics in Tasmania,” he said.
“If we compare to China, if you want to do another comparison to another country, they used about 10,000 tons of antibiotics last year in aquaculture.”
Canadian operations typically use around 3,000 kilograms annually, while Chilean farms apply more than 350 tonnes.
According to the hearing, Tasmanian producers have applied six tonnes of antibiotics to local waters over the past decade.
Greens leader Rosalie Woodruff said the current levels were deeply concerning.
“The toxic salmon industry is polluting waterways and locking fishers and other industries out of public waters,” she said.
“Why has the Liberal government not instead demanded fish farm companies to destock salmon from diseased pens to manage disease outbreaks?”
Environment Minister Madeleine Ogilvie said she wants Tasmanians to feel confident that local seafood remains safe and well-monitored.
“I might just add … fish on the shelves is safe to eat,” she said.
“I’ve ordered my Christmas shopping. I’m going to get salmon, crayfish, prawns … and I just want people to feel confident broadly that our processes work, that our monitoring works, that our standards are good.”
Salmon Tasmania CEO John Wittington said Florfenicol is “safe” and “breaks down more rapidly in the environment than other suitable antibiotics”.
“As Tasmanians rightfully expect, the industry is using every tool in the toolbox to minimise the chances of another summer mortality event, including vaccinations, selective breeding, and treatment,” he said.
