Environmental activists have welcomed a decision from the Aquaculture Stewardship Council (ASC) that prohibits Salmon company Tassal from using ‘seal bombs’ in Tasmanian waters.
Tassal had requested permission to use seal crackers at all of their certified leases, citing the need for a ‘safe and healthy working environment’ for their staff while they’re out on the water.
Their request to the ASC argued that the “aggressive nature” of seals in the state made seal crackers the “last line of defence for protecting the workers when a seal breaks through the seal netting”.
“Without the option of seal crackers, Tassal does not believe they can provide a safe working environment for their workers,” the ASC request summary read.
ASC’s refusal states Tassal did not “provide credible evidence for the risk of harm caused to seals, or their populations, as a result of using seal crackers”.
Opponents are now urging the auditor to suspend all Tassal farms and are calling on the RSPCA to ban underwater explosives.
Neighbours of Fish Farming (NOFF) president Peter George accused Tassal of “flaunting regulations” for years and questioned why the RSPCA would could continue to condone aggressive devices that cause injury and death.
“NOFF has already called on RSPCA Australia to end its certification scheme because of Huon Aquaculture’s unacceptable practices but the least it can do now is to live up to its charter and prevent the use of such cruel devices against animals,” he said.
The Tasman Peninsula Marine Protection group’s Trish Baily said the “long awaited decision” will “directly affect” Tassal’s operations in Storm Bay off Nubeena.
“The industry claims “worlds best practice” but it wanted to continue maiming seals and harming marine life,” she said.
During a visit to a Tassal plant in the state’s south this week, Prime Minster Anthony Albanese declared his strong support for the Tasmanian salmon industry and shared no plans to shut it down.
“We support jobs, but we support it being done in a sustainable way and we’re confident that that can happen,” he said.
Salmon Tasmania CEO Luke Martin thanked the Prime Minister for his support on behalf of the 5,000 Tasmanians whose “jobs and livelihoods are wrapped up” in the industry.
“Those people are extremely proud of what they do,” he said.
