Media release – Neighbours of Fish Farming (NOFF), 3 September 2021
Defending our Environment
Salmon industry watchdog, Neighbours of Fish Farming (NOFF) has called for an independent inquiry into the future of the controversial industry.
“Nothing short of an independent inquiry headed by a person of impeccable international credentials is going to assure Tasmanians that the state’s real interests are being served rather than those of industry, compliant politicians and ineffectual regulators,” NOFF writes in a letter to Primary Industries minister, Guy Barnett. (Attached)
A transparent inquiry with a broad remit could “begin to restore the tarnished reputation of the salmon industry and ensure the Tasmanian “Brand” does not become a mere discredited marketing tool,” NOFF writes.
NOFF president, Peter George, says the government’s so-called 10-year salmon plan has already been fatally flawed by the minister himself.
“The government disqualified itself from acting in good faith as an arbiter for the future of the industry by committing to a doubling of salmon tonnage in nine years without any scientific, ecological or environmental basis – and by excluding coastal communities from its deliberations.
“In one week, Mr Barnett insults industry critics as “dark forces” and then next week claims the government plans to consult those very same critics in its review. How stupid does Mr Barnett think Tasmanians are?
“The so-called ten-year plan for salmon is nothing more than a smokescreen for the industry to go on destroying our waterways under a guise of reform. No one will swallow that bait.
“NOFF will continue its campaign of mainland billboards “Eating Salmon? Killing Tasmania” and other actions to alert mainland Australians to the awful legacy of industrial salmon.
“The future of industrial salmon is on land.”
Defending our Environment
Dear Minister,
In Parliament this month, you described Tasmanians who express their concern about the impact of the salmon industry on waterways and communities as “dark forces”.
This week, you announce a consultation process that apparently intends to involve the very same community groups you condemn.
On the one hand you insult intelligent, concerned citizens for speaking out while on the other, you expect them to accept your honest intent to engage them in a consultation process that in no way guarantees their concerns will be listened to or acted upon.
You have, to date, shown absolutely no interest in engaging with the groups you dismiss so disparagingly, while grim experience gives little comfort to those you now wish to engage.
We have been through a similar process before: the Marine Farming Planning Review Panel treated community representatives with nothing short of contempt, ignored their submissions and came to a conclusion that so outraged two members that they resigned. Had the panel by some extraordinary force of circumstance advised against the expansion into Storm Bay, the remaining panel members themselves said you would have ignored the recommendation and allowed the expansion anyway.
Now it appears clear from your statements that not one lease, not even one pen is to be relinquished by industrial salmon as a part of the 10-year plan review, meaning the companies will continue to pour their waste into low-energy, shallow waters like the D’Entrecasteaux Channel, the Huon River and Estuary, Long Bay, Macquarie Harbour and Okehampton for as long as they want. Quite why the government considers this long-standing negative impact on coastlines, waterways and communities to be of overall benefit to Tasmania —as well as acceptable practice — remains a mystery to coastal residents.
Meanwhile, the ten-year plan holds out/has the potential for massive expansion in deeper waters involving unproven technology developed at tax-payer expense. All this, without having established the necessary scientific baselines to guard against further marine-life degradation.
The claim by industry and your government of “world’s best practice” is by now so threadbare that no one believes it. It’s the very same claim made by companies and governments wherever industrial salmon is found. Take out the word “best” and that accurately describes the industry globally—one that expects to get what it wants from compliant governments.
Minister, nothing short of an independent inquiry headed by a person of impeccable international credentials is going to assure Tasmanians that the state’s real interests are being served rather than those of industry, compliant politicians and ineffectual regulators. Your government has already determined that there will be a doubling of the industry in the next nine years, so that undertaking alone disqualifies your government from playing honest broker.
Nothing less than an independent, transparent inquiry with a broad remit can begin to restore the tarnished reputation of the salmon industry, and indeed your own. This course of real action will ensure the Tasmanian “Brand” does not become a mere discredited marketing tool.
Under these circumstances, you will find the “dark forces” you dismissed in Parliament will become willing allies.
Sincerely
Peter George
