Media release – NWTAS for Clean Oceans, 8 March 2022
PETITION TO STOP SALMON FARMING EXPANSION IN TASMANIA
Petition 8 March 2022 to state government seeking to:
- stop expansion of salmon farming in Tasmania
- adopt an effective management model to protect the salmon industry and the environment
- remove salmon farming from our oceans and relocate to land
Today, Ruth Forrest MLC, presented a petition with over a 1000 (1023} signatures to the state government. The petition, sponsored by Ben Lans (NWTAS for Clean Oceans), seeks to stop the expansion of ocean-based salmon farming in Tasmania and move the industry to land.
Current state government regulations and oversight of the industry to date have not prevented significant ecological damage and marine pollution around Port Arthur, Nubeena, D’Entrecasteaux Channel, Bruny Island and Macquarie Harbour.
Petitioners are therefore calling for the government to adopt an effective management model for the industry to ensure protection for Tasmania and the industry into the future.
Ben Lans (Secretary, NWTAS) said: “We are alarmed at the rapid expansion of salmon farming in Tasmania and in particular, the pristine waters off our north-west coast. Polluting salmon farms have already infiltrated the waters off Tasmania’s east and west coasts and the Tamar River. Our pristine north-west coast is next”.
According to Mr Lans, Tasmania’s reputation as a clean green tourist destination is already tarnished by the salmon industry.
“If the government continues with its plans our north-west beaches will quickly replicate the fouled oceans elsewhere in the state. On the north-west coast we have the benefit of hind-sight but we need to make the most of it”, said Mr Lans.
“We are not opposed to commercial salmon farming per se but the industry must, over time, and with government support, be moved out of our oceans and onto land. This will ensure current jobs are protected and even lead to expansion of the industry. Land based farming will ensure pollution can be managed and that our Tasmanian coastline can recover and be protected in the long term.
A new effective management model is critical to the success of this industry and to protect Tasmania.
NWTAS will shortly announce plans for a public meeting to be held on the north-west coast. The meeting will further raise awareness about the government’s intentions to expand salmon farming and to open Bass Strait for farming.
“The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting a different result”. {Attributed to Albert Enstein}.
