Media release – Tasmanian Alliance for Marine Protection (TAMP), 11 December 2020
NO ‘SABOTAGE’ in Industrial salmon escape
The recent escape of 130,000 salmon from Huon Aquaculture feedlots in Storm Bay was definitely not the result of sabotage, The Tasmanian Alliance for Marine Protection (TAMP) has learned.
Government officials have told TAMP that Huon Aquaculture has confirmed there was no sabotage, contrary to implications by CEO, Frances Bender, in the days after the escape.
It was the second escape of the company’s salmon in less than two weeks.
“The idea that some group might have gone out to the massive feedlots in gale force winds and cut their way through nets was always a nonsense,” co-chair of TAMP, Peter George, says.
“Having helped start the rumour of some sort of eco-terrorist plot, Ms Bender needs to come clean and explain how at least 180,000 Atlantic salmon were released into our waterways on two occasions in less than two weeks.
“A far more likely cause of the latest escape is simply poor maintenance or poor practices that show once more Huon Aquaculture can’t be relied on to protect native marine life.
“The company needs to be held responsible, penalised for what amounts to pollution and be forced to employ fishing vessels to round-up the fish as happens in other developed nations.
“Around the world escapes from industrial fish farms attract massive penalties but in Tasmania, the authorities turn a blind eye.
“It’s a major reason why foresighted salmon producers are moving on-shore.”
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