Tasmanian Salmon Farming – Is There A Better Way?

Is the current practice of open cage farming in estuarine waters really world class? Looking around the world other methods of salmon farming exist suggesting viable, sustainable and eco-friendly alternatives to the open cage farming method engaged in Tasmania exist.

With projected growth in the industry and the virtual doubling of salmon production over the next five years, how do we ensure this growth is environmentally neutral, and doesn’t continue to degrade our precious marine estuaries?

Land based salmon farming is being practiced and introduced around the world, as is closed containment aquaculture. These practices have succeeded in eliminating the main concerns of open cage sea farming.

Already in the United States a land based salmon farm is reusing this waste in an aquaponics vegetable farm. Undoubtedly initial set up costs for this method of farming would be high, however evidence shows that scale of production greatly reduces both capital and operating costs. Why, like in so many other parts of the world, can’t that industry expansion here in Tasmania be in the form of a land based recirculation system? Let’s have a salmon farming industry that is truly world class and operates with clear social license.

It seems the benefits of a closed land based farming system would far outweigh the initial set up costs and would provide the following tangible benefits:

No salmon escapees, protecting the environment and is a cost saving to the industry.
No risk of fish and food waste impacting on our estuary’s health.
No sea lice infestations on salmon and wild fish populations.
Reduced requirement for and use of vaccinations and antibiotics.
Up to 95 per cent of the fresh or saline water recycled through the farm and contained onsite.
Increased employment.
No associated risks of diseases to our world class wild brown trout and other aquatic wildlife.
No ongoing wild seal management issues.
Totally controllable water temperature and oxygen levels.
Reduced feed costs.
No need for freshwater bathing.

It is claimed these systems are environmentally benign and with proper design and depuration protocols, deliver a quality product and command a stable premium price. This may seem a simplistic view but why are salmon growers around the world turning to land based farming? A Danish company is establishing a land based salmon farm, in
China in the Gobi Desert on the Mongolian boarder with the production potential of 10,000 tonnes per annum.

SFP Tasmania rightly asks the Government it they continue to blindly accept Tasmanian growers operate under “World’s Best Practice” and by whose definition? We say there may be better and more eco-friendly methods which need to be explored by an independent body and recommendations made not only to Government but also to the people of Tasmania. Salmon farming is an important industry to the Tasmanian economy and provides much needed employment both directly and indirectly.

SFP Tasmania is absolutely supportive of a Tasmanian salmon industry and the employment and economic value it creates. We are simply asking, is it time to look for a better way?
Adrian Pickin Press Liaison Officer Shooters & Fishers Party, Tas.