Empty salmon pen collars washed ashore at Dennes Point on Bruny Island overnight after rough weather swept them across the D’Entrecasteaux Channel.
Tassal said three empty pen collars came ashore during strong and challenging conditions.
The company said its team was alerted late last night and worked through the night to recover the collars and return them to its Sheppards lease.
“Importantly, there were no fish in the pens and our team was on the shoreline again first thing this morning to check the area and ensure there was no significant debris or environmental impact,” the company said.
Tassal thanked its crews, authorities and the local community for their help during the overnight response.
“Safety, environmental responsibility and being a good neighbour remain top priorities for our team,” the company said.
Franklin independent MP Peter George said residents on North Bruny reported at least four pens and possibly more were driven onto the beach at Dennes Point sometime after 11pm.
He said the pens created a “major navigation hazard” on the waterway.
“There must be full disclosure about the negligence that allowed these huge pens to create a dangerous navigation hazard as they were swept across the D’Entrecasteaux Channel,” George said.
“What catastrophe allowed these massive pens to break free in a relatively protected waterway?
“Where did they break free and was a navigation warning issued immediately?”
He questioned what the incident meant for operations in rougher waters.
“If these pens can be driven from their moorings in strong winds in the channel, what could happen in a major gale in more exposed waters such at Storm Bay and the Huon Estuary?” he said.
