Cawthron report highlights effective management of Macquarie Harbour

The Tasmanian Government is committed to the sustainable growth of our state’s $500 million aquaculture industry to a $1 billion sector.

We recognise that to achieve this we must work cooperatively with all aquaculture and fishery industries to protect Tasmania’s marine environment and our clean, safe and quality seafood.

We take very seriously our obligation to balance a sustainable salmon industry with other fisheries while ensuring we protect our marine environment, which is why we commissioned the internationally recognised Cawthron Institute to review the monitoring processes and research strategies in place at Macquarie Harbour.

Already we have in place a regulatory framework for the marine farm industry that ensures appropriate decision making and monitoring of the industry that is guided by the Marine Farm Planning Act and the Living Marine Resources Management Act.

This framework is crucial to the sustainable growth of the industry, and the growth at Macquarie Harbour. The Harbour is subject to ongoing environmental monitoring which helps understand the complex environment that is influenced by a range of conditions, not just marine farming.

The Cawthron Institute report highlights that Tasmania has an effective framework in place with our monitoring systems in Macquarie Harbour and identifies ways to enhance this.

Already some of the recommended work is underway through the Department of Primary Industries, Parks, Water and Environment, research commissioned with IMAS and work undertaken by the Macquarie Harbour Dissolved Oxygen Working Group.

The Department will continue to work with industry in considering the remaining recommendations and how they can be implemented.

The Department’s full response to the recommendations of the Cawthron review and the full report is available at www.dpipwe.tas.gov.au

Tasmania’s salmon industry is world renowned for its premium product and for being one of the most strongly regulated industries across the globe. This Government will not be complacent in continuing to protect these values.
Jeremy Rockliff, Minister for Primary Industries and Water