Media release – Surfrider Foundation, 27 June 2021
SURF NOT SALMON EXPANSION PADDLE OUT
Today over 400 surfers and beach lovers gathered at Surf Not Salmon Paddle Outs around the state saying no to more salmon farm expansions in Tasmania.
Due to popularity of last month’s Surf Not Salmon paddle out at Clifton Beach, this weekend was an expansion of that, going statewide. Surfers braved the chilly waters to show how much they want to protect the wild coasts they love.
With the salmon industry aspiring to double in size in the next 10 years, surfing communities are worried about the impact this will have on the coastlines they love including the coast surrounding Storm Bay and the north-west.
The statewide event, co-ordinated by Surf not Salmon and supported by Surfrider Foundation, was held at locations including Park Beach at Dodges Ferry, Lauderdale Beach, Long Beach at Sandy Bay, Scamander and Stanley. Each community nominated to run their own paddle out, organised speakers and photographers, advertised and pulled in a local crowd.
Central Co-ordinator Bridge de Lange says “It’s pretty clear by the number of people who made an effort to be at their local beach with their friends and families with their boards and signs, that there is community unrest.
We, the people of Tasmania – from the north-west right down to the south-east – have an issue with the way Tassie’s Atlantic salmon is being produced in our waters and this weekend we stood united together on our coasts to say that we don’t grant the industry a social license to continue in this way.”
