Pic: Fish farming in Macquarie Harbour. Rodtuk Flickr
The Wilderness Society today got behind this weekend’s floatilla protest against salmon giant Tassal’s belligerent plan to kick-off industrial scale salmon farming on Tasmania’s iconic East Coast.
FLOATMO, on Hobart’s waterfront this Sunday, is an opportunity for Tasmanians to get out and show their support for the protection of Tasmania’s pristine East Coast, and the Wilderness Society has called on all water lovers, whether river, lake or ocean, to get out on their craft and help protect Tasmania’s coastline.
‘Tassal has already pushed the environment of Macquarie Harbour over the limit, creating massive dead zones and impacts that extend into the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area, said Vica Bayley, spokesperson for the Wilderness Society.
‘Both government and Tassal have demonstrated they can’t be trusted with the science behind fish farming, aquaculture regulation and the management of the unique values of Tasmania’s waterways and coast.’
‘Whether its dead zones, water oxygen levels, rope, netting and other debris washing onto pristine beaches or the noise and lighting impacts that come with industrialising a pristine coastline, salmon farming affects the environmental values and social amenity of an area and people are justified in their concerns about an East Coast expansion.
‘FLOATMO is their opportunity to say NO. Tasmania has a solid tradition of communities rallying together to protect the places they treasure. FLOATMO creates an opportunity for folks from diverse interests to stand up to Tassal and protect their place.
‘Tassal has trashed the West Coast’s Macquarie Harbour and is bit by bit destroying its own brand. People of all walks of life don’t want it industrialising the East Coast and dragging down a valuable regional brand by importing the same environmental and social problems being exposed elsewhere.
FLOATMO is being led by Marine Protection Tasmania and will steam into Sullivan’s Cove after 12 Noon on this Sunday, 18th June.
‘Anyone who loves the water and cherishes a Tasmania that protects and respects its oceans and coastline should get out on their craft this weekend.’
Vica Bayley Tasmanian Campaign Manager The Wilderness Society (Tasmania) Inc.
