A short table on non-compliance in Macquarie Harbour released by the EPA this afternoon confirms that Tassal are the key culprit in the environmental crisis in Macquarie Harbour, with four times the amount of non-compliance incidents than the other major producers. (download below)
“The EPA paper on breaches of the law confirms Tassal is the main culprit when it comes to damaging Macquarie harbour – with thick mats of bacteria spreading from Tassal lease sites at fourteen points,” said Laura Kelly, Strategy Director at Environment Tasmania.
“Tassal is breaking regulations at 14 points, versus 2 points for Huon and 3 for Petuna.”
“This fits with the pattern that has emerged in former reports and leaked documents, which have indicated that Tassal continues to push more stock into the harbour, even as environmental conditions plummet.”
The full report on the harbour – the Spring Status report, has still not been released by DPIPWE.
“We are very concerned about what tables on dissolved oxygen levels in the harbour will show, and incredibly frustrated that the EPA released a decision on stocking levels in Macquarie Harbour based on a report that Minister Rockliff’s department still hasn’t released. It doesn’t look good for the regulator to be withholding evidence at this stage,” Ms Kelly said.
“We urge the government to urgently release the Spring Status report, so all impacted parties can see the evidence on the level of harm in Macquarie Harbour.”
Download …
MH_lease_boundary_compliance_summary_September_2016.pdf
Laura Kelly Strategy Director Environment Tasmania
