The Tasmanian government will halt marine expansion of the salmon industry in local waterways so that an independent review can take place to examine the industry’s long-term sustainability and environmental impact according to an article in ABC news.
In February, bacterial disease piscirickettsia salmonis swept through salmon pens in southern Tasmanian waters, causing the deaths of thousands of farmed fish. The government has confirmed the salmon industry continues to grapple with the disease, and has sought fast-track approval of a new antibiotic on operators’ behalf to bring it under control.
Premier Jeremy Rockliff said the review would support the salmon industry “to operate transparently and responsibly” and “meet its social licence”. The government said it would pause industry marine expansion during the review period, and would retract finfish farming permits from leases that are “not subject to an existing marine farming license.”
The country’s Environment Protection Authority (EPA) reported that wild fish caught near a Huon Aquaculture lease in February were found to have antibiotic residue levels more than 10 times higher than that in sold salmon. Eight samples of wild fish were taken near one lease with all of them testing above the reporting threshold.
The review will be conducted by a specialist “off-island” organization with the terms of reference to be decided by parliament. The government wants it to look at existing and proposed monitoring and regulation, environmental standards, compliance, penalties and legislation, as well as antibiotic use, the industry’s impact on public waterways and the environment, and different methods of fish farming.
Gavin Pearce, Minister for Primary Industries and Water issued a statement saying “Animal welfare, biosecurity and the waterways must be at the forefront of everything industry does. I have been clear with industry there will be consequences if it doesn’t adhere to the strict rules and act in the best interest of Tasmanians.”
