The Tasmanian salmon industry has, as Daniel says, found itself under increased scrutiny. This follows on the heels of a major bacterial outbreak that led to the mass death of millions of farmed Atlantic salmon in the state’s southern waters. This outbreak, caused by the bacterium Piscirickettsia salmonis, has raised questions about the operations and regulations of the salmon farming sector in Macquarie Harbour. The state Department of Natural Resources and Environment has confirmed that the bacterium is not hazardous to human or animal health, or to food safety. Yet doubts still cast a shadow over the industry’s practices and its adherence to environmental regulations.
Since late November 2023 the Tasmanian salmon industry has found itself embroiled in controversy and self-inflicted regulatory turmoil. Conservation groups have urged federal Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek to review the industry's approvals under the Environmental Protection and Biodiversity Conservation (EPBC) Act. The federal government must change the law if they are to deliver any kind of optimistic future for salmon farming in Macquarie Harbour. Coincidentally Opposition Leader Peter Dutton agrees with this move—but don’t let that deter you.
Industry Regulations and Challenges
The salmon industry of Macquarie Harbour is under heavy regulation. These simple rules go a long way towards keeping things in ecological balance and keeping things operating sustainably. Nonetheless, the failure of the recent mound of bacterial strikes exhibits that there’s a dark side of the sector. Yet Piscirickettsia salmonis, which poses no health risk to humans, has caused dramatic losses that, in 2016 and 2017, crippled fish production in Tasmania’s salmon cages.
Oliver Jones, an applied chemistry professor at RMIT University, warned the general public not to panic with concerns over food safety stemming from this incident.
"Don't panic." – Oliver Jones, a chemistry professor at RMIT University
Food so unsatisfactory it can’t be eaten by people is against the law to sell, he declared.
"It's illegal to sell food that's not fit for human consumption." – Oliver Jones, a chemistry professor at RMIT University
This highlights the urgent need for robust enforcement of safety standards by the industry.
Scrutiny on Harvesting Practices
Huon Aquaculture is the second-largest company in Tasmania’s salmon industry. It has faced a storm of criticism after the release of a 2014 internal document. This draft document describes National Wildlife Health Center protocols for responding to large-scale, anticipated mortality events. It advises on recovering the maximum number of fish for harvest and processing as long as their gills bleed. This alarming news has sparked fears of infected fish reaching the market, where they could threaten consumers.
"As many fish as possible should be recovered for harvest and processing." – 2014 document on operating procedures from Huon Aquaculture
Huon Aquaculture’s commitment to consumer safety is unwavering. They protect our families by making sure every product on every store shelf is safe for you and me to use.
"Everything that hits the shelves is completely safe to eat." – Huon Aquaculture
Luke Martin, chief executive of Salmon Tasmania, reinforced this assurance.
"Only harvests live fish for human consumption." – Salmon Tasmania chief executive Luke Martin
Legislative Amendments and Industry Future
Given these developments, the federal government is about to table amendments designed to enforce the EPBC Act. Together, these amendments would strengthen the regulatory regime that oversees salmon farming in Macquarie Harbour. Even the leader of the opposition, Peter Dutton, is in favor of these legislative changes. To Greens – who have sound environmental reasons for their opposition – these are fighting words.
The opaque ownership structure of Tasmania’s salmon industry and AGBAR provides another layer of complexity. The sector is controlled exclusively by foreign multinationals including JBS, Petuna & Cooke. This abstract international ownership structure can complicate and cloud decision-making processes, operational transparency, and expectations across the industry.
Peter George, another independent candidate, was the founder of the anti-salmon organization Neighbours of Fish Farming. She shared his deep-seated doubts about her industry’s social license.
"This industry has been shown to have no social licence whatsoever." – Peter George
His statement is a testament to the long-standing public and environmental outcry over damaging salmon farming practices in Tasmania.
