Article
Huon Candidates re Fish Farms
The questions listed below were asked by the Tasmanian Alliance for Marine Protection (TAMP), on behalf of the Alliance’s members across the state, to candidates for the 2020 Legislative Council seat of Huon.
With regard to industrial fish farming in Tasmanian public waterways, if elected will you:
1. Support the establishment of an independent watchdog to monitor regulatory compliance of fish farms and to liaise with affected communities?
2. Work to minimise impacts of fish farm operations on public amenity that include:
. excessive noise,
. light pollution,
. impacts from out-of-hours operations, including vessel transits
. speed limits on work vessels?
3. Support independent monitoring of fish farm debris, related boating incidents, fish escapes and mortalities?
4. Support moves for land-based and genuinely off-shore fish farms?
5. Support the conversion of fresh water hatcheries to closed-loop systems to prevent down- stream contamination?
7. Support federal environmental assessments of new farm leases?
8. Support real deterrence measures through substantial fines for breaches of lease conditions and penalty points that would result in withdrawal of leases for consistent offenders?
9. Support the transition of fish farms out of estuaries and low-energy waters and away from natural fish nurseries?
10.Support a fair return to the community for the use of public waterways by fish farms by:
. increasing the production-based levy
. and/or establishing a tender process for new lease allocations
. allowing councils to charge local government rates on fish farms?
11. Support a moratorium on fish farm expansion into Storm Bay and along the Bruny Island coastline, including The Channel, until further scientific baseline studies have been completed?
Responses
Some candidates responded to the specific questions, others answered with a statement of their views.
It should be noted that a ‘Yes‘ to any question indicates general alignment with TAMP goals, a ‘No’ suggests disagreement with those goals.
Greens candidate Pat Caruana and Labor candidate Bastian Seidel answered ‘Yes’ to each of the 11 questions. Both added statements. Shooters, Fishers, and Farmers candidate Garrick Cameron answered each question with a statement. Independents Robert Armstrong and Debbie Armstrong did not address individual questions but answered with a general statement. Dean Harriss is yet to respond.
Below are the responses in random order:
Debbie Armstrong (Independent)
Did not directly answer the questions but issued this statement:
Thank you for your correspondence. Whilst your questionnaire is interesting, and makes reference to some topics recently discussed in our media, I feel it would not be appropriate to comment as I would need to thoroughly examine All the literature in detail before making an informed decision. As you will appreciate, making any comment before becoming totally informed would not be a righteous decision on my behalf. My belief in representation is to make decisions based on full disclosure at the time. I do however appreciate the invitation to comment.
Pat Caruana (Greens)
Answered ‘Yes‘ to every question and added in response to Question 3:
It’s shocking that in the last four years nothing has changed in the Liberal government’s regulation of fish farm debris – and that the lives of boaters are being put at risk.
Bastian Seidel (Labor)
Answered ‘Yes‘ to every question and mad a detailed statement; n fairness to all candidates, only the most relevant part appears below:
The Tasmanian salmon industry needs to aim to be recognised as the world’s best environmental and economic performer with overwhelming public support. To achieve this vision, our policy will continue to support jobs growth in the salmon industry and allow companies to grow sustainably by improving the regulatory framework within which they operate, while minimising environmental impacts and ensuring the industry is meeting the high expectations of Tasmanians. The industry needs to work with a social license.
The Environmental Protection Authority needs more resources and its decisions need to be made based on independent expert advice to maintain community confidence in the regulation of the salmon industry. We need to respect nature and we need to respect science…
Robert Armstrong (Independent and sitting member)
Did not directly answer the questions but issued this statement:
Thank you for your email and questionnaire. In response I advise I believe Fin Fish Farming is extremely important to Tasmania and especially our electorate of Huon. In fact the latest figures I saw was the industry supports 2300 direct and 6000 indirect jobs.
I also believe the implementation of the ‘Sustainable Industry Growth Plan for the Salmon Industry’ was brought about only after a full and transparent public consultation process. As you would be aware,this plan is a living document subject to review with the first such review recently completed. Details of that review are publicly available and provides key information on work to date and initiatives to be delivered.
Both Government and industry are continuing with a range of work to underpin responsible, environmentally sustainable industry growth with a focus on biosecurity and transparency. I support that plan as directing the way forward for this industry. I am happy to answer any questions you may have.
Garrick Cameron (SFF)
Answered question by question:
1. Support the establishment of an independent watchdog to monitor compliance
A: Yes, noting there is an independent regulatory body now, its called the EPA and no doubt the EPA needs to work harder to regain public trust and confidence in its role.
2.Work to minimise impacts of fish farm operations on public amenity
A: Yes, the farmers already comply with a host of by laws and regulations and as i understand work closely with the locals who also use the surrounding waters
3. Support independent monitoring of fish debris, related boat incidents, fish escapes and moralities
A: There is also an independent regulatory authority, the EPA and the salmon farmers themselves are proactive in their reporting and help lines on debris and i have seen many incidents when the salmon farmers have rescued stranded boaters
4. Support moves for land-based and genuine off-shore farms
A: Already Tasmania has some within the industry with onshore operations which is great to see, and i have not issues with fish farms in suitable locations. I believe for the most part the industry is world best practice and it just needs the EPA to improve its public perception of its role as the independent regulator
5. Support the conversion of fresh water hatcheries to closed loop systems.
A: I will have to look further into the discover what the concerns are. From my perspective and from those i talk to, the important factor is to not permit any imported fresh or frozen salmon, trout products into Tasmania as the bio-security risk are well too high and cannot be mitigated
6. Support the mandating of seal proof fish pens
A: I don’t necessary believe it needs mandating, fish farms certainly don’t want to lose value stock or run the risk of injury to their staff, so from what is know they already mitigate seal invasions
7. Support federal environmental assessment of new farm leases
A: New leases are already assessed as to their environmental impact, why does Tasmania need even more red and green tape
8. Support real deterrence measures through substantial fines for breaching lease conditions and penalty points that would result in withdrawal of leases for consistent offenders
A: Personally I am not a support of overloads and excessive punitive measures, always best to work with individual companies and the industry. The big stick approach is so outdated
9. Support the transition of fish farms out of estuaries and low-energy waters and away from natural nurseries
A: Refer to my answer at Q4
10. Support a fair return to the community for the use of public waterways by fish farms
A: I don’t support excessive fees, just where does it stop, increasing fees for sailing boats, all commercial fishers, recreational fishers, divers etc. Why councils should be able to charge rates where leases are on the water is not logical. What rate payers what is a fair rate system for their homes, a value of ones home and the AVV methodology does not equate to the value of services rendered
11. Support a moratorium on fish farms expansions into storm bay and along Bruny Island coastline, including the channel,
A: I see no valid reason to support a moratorium, there is an existing process which is regulated and managed, it can also be improved, however this is no different to a host of regulations impacting the people of Huon and their businesses
Dean Harriss (Independent)
Has not responded.
TASMANIAN TIMES: Huon LegCo Election – Candidate Profiles.