Minister announces ‘sustainable oceanic plan’ while green lighting inshore developments …

“Environment Tasmania welcomes Minister Rockliff’s commitment to fixing the problems with governance of the Tasmanian industry, but questions how he can announce a ‘sustainable growth plan’ focused on offshore developments at the exact same time as green lighting Tassal’s inshore development plans for the east coast,” said Laura Kelly, Environment Tasmania.

“If the Minister is genuine about sustainable growth in the industry, he needs to halt Tassal’s east coast expansion and reign back their aggressive behaviour in Macquarie Harbour – otherwise his ‘sustainable growth plan’ will have as much value as the ASC logo currently being stamped on the salmon coming out of Tassal’s dead zone in Macquarie Harbour.”

“There is nothing new in the Minister’s announcement regarding the EPA – monitoring powers are already in the process of being transferred. What hasn’t occurred is a review of the laws the EPA can use to monitor companies, these remain 20 years old and allow damaging inshore developments like Macquarie Harbour and Tassal’s east coast plans.”

The Minister has introduced a new schedule of increased fines for salmon companies that breach regulations, but it is Environment Tasmania’s understanding that none of these fines have actually been used and that Tassal has received no fine for their dead zone in Macquarie Harbour, even though they have operated in breach of the law for four months, with significant commercial benefits.

“People are sick of the politics and spin – if the Minister is genuine about sustainable offshore operations then why is he green lighting Tassal’s plans for industrial inshore farms on the east coast? If he is serious about fining companies which break the law, then why hasn’t he used any of the new fines he introduced?” Ms Kelly said.
Laura Kelly Strategy Director Environment Tasmania