New hatchery to grow Salmon industry

The Liberal Government is committed to Tasmania’s world-class salmon industry and welcomes sustainable, responsible and accountable growth.
The newest addition is Huon Aquaculture’s more than $30 million smolt hatchery at Ranelagh.
The new hatchery has meant the creation of 10 permanent jobs, with over 100 Tasmanian companies involved in the project and over 300 local trades people.
It’s licenced to produce up to 400 tonnes of Atlantic salmon smolt per year which equates to around two million fish.
The development incorporates leading freshwater recirculation technology and marks the conclusion of the company’s $200 million Controlled Growth Strategy.
The facility is a fully recirculating hatchery taking most of its water from a bore. Wastewater is stored onsite and used to irrigate nearby agricultural land.
Huon Aquaculture produces over 17,000 tonnes of salmon per year and employs more than 550 staff across Tasmania and Australia.
Tasmanians can be proud of our world-class salmon industry. The Government has recently updated environmental regulations for salmon farming to make sure the community can continue to have confidence in the industry.
We have also made changes to the Marine Farming Planning Act will help to ensure environmental regulations keep pace with industry expansion.
Maximum possible fines for a serious breach of environmental management controls is now calculated proportionate to the financial advantage obtained and demerit points have been reintroduced which could ultimately see a marine farming licence revoked.
In July, the independent Environment Protection Authority also became responsible for all environmental controls and day-to-day environmental management and regulating biomass limits.
The Tasmanian Liberal Government will continue to work with the salmon industry to support sustainable, responsible and accountable growth, and local jobs.
Will Hodgman, Premier