The Tasmanian Government has announced a pause on the expansion of Tasmania’s salmon industry while it reviews the sector.
The news comes after it was revealed on Friday that the Piscirickettsia salmonis disease was again affecting salmon pens in southern Tasmania.
Premier Jeremy Rockliff today said the industry is “on notice” as his government seeks to balance aquaculture with environmental protection.
“To support the salmon industry to meet its social licence in line with contemporary environmental expectations, we will deliver an independent study of the industry,” Rockliff said.
The study will examine monitoring systems, regulations, disease management, antibiotic use and the economic and environmental impacts of salmon farming in Tasmania.
A pause on any spatial expansion of the industry will remain in place while the study is completed by an independent off-island specialist organisation.
The government will also remove finfish as a licence right from all leases not currently being used for finfish production.
Primary Industries Minister Gavin Pearce said the government was prioritising workers in the industry while pushing for improved practices.
“We know salmon workers are committed to the highest environmental and animal welfare standards and want to see continuous improvement in their industry for the benefit of our marine ecology,” Pearce said.
Environment Minister Madeleine Ogilvie announced two additional measures to strengthen environmental protection.
“We will develop and deliver a Marine Environment Tasmania Act, in consultation with the parliament and the community, and we will further strengthen regulatory oversight,” she said.
The waste management sector will also be directed to ensure aquaculture industry waste meets “contemporary standards and community expectations.”
The Environmental Protection Authority, established in 2021, will receive additional powers to regulate all salmon-related matters including monitoring industry requirements, antibiotic use, and illness and mortalities.
The government says it has nearly tripled EPA funding since its establishment and intends to further resource the independent body.
