Salmon producer Huon Aquaculture hosted more than 200 locals on tours of its facilities yesterday, as the company continues efforts to boost public support amid concerns about the industry’s environmental impact.
The free tours, which booked out quickly, offered a behind-the-scenes look at both land-based facilities and marine pens in the Huon Valley.
Environmental groups have long criticised Tasmania’s salmon farming sector for its effects on waterways, with concerns about pollution, fish waste and impacts on local marine ecosystems.
Hannah Gray, General Manager of Corporate Governance at Huon, acknowledged these concerns were part of why the company organised the community event.
“Understandably, people have questions about salmon farming,” Gray said. “It was great to provide this opportunity for transparency.”
She said staff discussed environmental monitoring, breeding programs and fish health research during the tours.
“The team also shared detail about selective breeding programs, vaccine development and research trials that are undertaken continuously to ensure optimal fish health and resilience in the changing climate and environment,” Gray said.
The tours come as Huon pushes ahead with a $110 million plan to expand its land-based farming operations in Port Huon, currently under review by regulators.
“We’re farming fish on land for longer periods, which means less time in the marine environment,” Gray said, describing it as “striking the right balance for the environment and fish health”.
The state’s salmon industry has come under increasing scrutiny in recent months, after a mass mortality event in southern Tasmania killed millions of fish due to a disease outbreak.
Huon, which directly employs more than 1,000 people, is one of Tasmania’s biggest salmon producers, alongside Tassal and Petuna.
A 2023 report by Deloitte estimated the industry is worth $1.3 billion annually and supports around 5,100 jobs.
