More marine wildlife deaths at Tasmanian salmon farms have been reported, with four dolphins killed in entanglement incidents in the first half of this year.
Government data shows the short-beaked common dolphins died at Huon Aquaculture leases in Storm Bay, the D’Entrecasteaux Channel and the Huon River between March and June.
These fatalities add to the salmon industry’s wildlife toll, which now includes seven dolphin deaths and 23 seal fatalities over the past three years.
Huon Aquaculture said it is “continuing to investigate” the incidents and takes the protection of native wildlife “seriously”.
The company says it operates under “rigorous standards” to minimise wildlife interactions through monitoring and mitigation measures.
But the deaths have fuelled calls for industry reform. Environmental group Neighbours of Fish Farming described the incidents as appalling.
“It is not okay that Tasmanian wildlife is dying for the obscene profits of multi-national companies,” said NOFF vice president Lisa Litjens.
The group’s campaigner Jess Coughlan argued existing protections “clearly aren’t working” and called for salmon farms to be removed from coastal waters.
Recent figures also show five fur seals have died at salmon farms this year.
Documents published in August revealed 15 cormorants and another seal died within a week at a Tassal facility.
Last month Premier Jeremy Rockliff announced a pause on industry expansion, along with an independent review into long-term sustainability and environmental impacts.
The Department of Natural Resources and Environment Tasmania has asked operators for more details as it examines the circumstances surrounding the dolphin deaths.
