Tasmanian Senator Jacqui Lambie has urged Australians to boycott Tasmanian salmon during an interview on Abbie Chatfield’s “It’s A Lot” podcast.
In Tuesday’s episode, Lambie revealed her dramatic shift from being a salmon supporter to critic, citing environmental concerns that have emerged over the past five years.
“You know what, Mures, our biggest restaurant down there, very well known for their seafood … said we’re not taking any more Tasmania salmon,” Lambie told Chatfield, who responded with audible shock.
The senator highlighted environmental issues including the endangered Maugean Skate in Macquarie Harbour and waste washing up on beaches.
“You show up on Bruny Island, there’s always a dirty filthy f***ing fishnet sitting there with salmon in them,” she said.
“Tasmanians have had enough because what they’re going to do is kill brand Tasmania.”
When asked what consumers should do, Lambie was unequivocal.
“Don’t eat bloody Tasmanian salmon,” she said.
Lambie claims major supermarkets are “feeling the pressure” and are “this far” from pulling Tasmanian salmon products.
She encouraged influencers to “keep the pressure up” against the industry on social media.
In response, Salmon Tasmania accused Lambie and Chatfield of taking “cheap shots”.
“The 5,000 plus workers whose jobs rely on the Tasmanian salmon industry have every right to be disgusted by Senator Lambie jumping on a Sydney based podcast to take cheap shots at her home state,” a Salmon Tasmania spokesperson told Pulse.
“We invite Abbie Chatfield to come down to Tassie to meet our workers and learn about the industry first-hand instead of promoting this nonsense.”
