Media release – Bob Brown Foundation, 14 May 2022
300 Tasmanians rally in wild weather to say No to toxic salmon in Bass Strait
A large crowd of 300 turned out to Burnie’s West Beach today, calling out to ‘Save Bass Strait’ from toxic salmon expansions. The rally, which was organised by Bob Brown Foundation and NW Tas for Clean Oceans, sent a loud and clear message to government, industry, candidates and voters that the plan to explore for salmon growing sites in Bass Strait is extremely unpopular and will harm the beloved north-west coast ecology.
Speakers included Bob Brown, Craig Garland, Ally King of Surfrider, Krystelle Jordan from the Tasmanian Aboriginal Centre (TAC) and Peter George from Neighbours of Fish Farming (NOFF).
“Australian fur seals are still only at 20% of their natural numbers and this industry is a death charge for them,” Bob Brown said to the assembled crowd.
“This community is standing up, right from the start. Don’t let these corporations into your Bass Strait. Into our Bass Strait. Not now, not ever.”
“Today we rallied alongside NW coast locals in calling to save the wild and wonderful NW coast and Bass Strait from expanding toxic salmon. Despite the wet weather, a 300-strong crowd turned out, which is a testament to how strongly they care about protecting these waters and keeping them fish-farm free,” Bob Brown Foundation’s Fish Farms and Marine campaigner Bec Howarth said.
The proposal for a salmon research site off Burnie is not only unpopular with locals but a disgrace as Burnie’s foreshore has only just recovered from decades of industrial pollution.
“Bass Strait does not flush, so salmon farms will turn these waters into a sloshing sewer.”
“These waters are an important migratory route for humpback whales and crucial habitat for endangered blue whales as well. These are ecologically diverse and significant waters enjoyed by Tasmanians. The message from today’s rally is loud and clear: stop the salmon sea grab and save Bass Strait,” Bec Howarth said.
