Huon Residents Tell Tassal’s Mark Ryan: ‘It’s Time to Go’

Media release – Neighbours of Fish Farming, 20 October 2022

It’s time to Go – Huon Residents tell Tassal’s Mark Ryan

A campaign demanding salmon giant, Tassal, act to move fish pens out of the Huon River will be launched on Saturday.

The campaign -“It’s Time to Go” – will hold its first rally at Brabazon Point, on the east side of the river below Huonville where Tassal has up to 12 pens.

“Five years ago, Tassal CEO Mark Ryan promised the company would start to move pens out of the Huon River when it expanded into Storm Bay,” says Peter George, President of Neighbours of Fish Farming.

“Back in 2017 Mr Ryan said ‘we’re listening to people’s concerns’ so it’s well overdue for Mr Ryan to do just that and act on his promise.

(https://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-11-17/tassal-plans-for-oceanic-farming/9163406)

“Tassal must move those pens before the company falls into the hands of the aggressive multinational, Cooke Aquaculture, that may think it has the right to ignore the undertaking and the community.

“These leases are due to expire next month (November 30} and we call on the government not to renew them in light of Recommendation 3 of the 2022 Fin Fish Farming report which calls for the removal of leases from ‘sheltered and sensitive’ waters.

“So far Tassal has totally ignored inquiries from residents and Neighbours of Fish Farming about when it will live up to Mr Ryan’s undertaking.

“These fish pens have no business being so far up the Huon, residents are sick of the noise, the lights and the pollution they have caused.

“Mr Ryan made the promise. Tassal now operates pens in Storm Bay. So now he has an obligation to deliver before Cooke Aquaculture takes over on November 3.”

The Aquaculture Stewardship Council that endorses some of Tassal’s leases insists on producers consult, communicating and obtaining social licence with community in a genuine way.

In August, residents on the Tasman Peninsula launched a campaign against Tassal’s 16 pens in Long Bay near Port Arthur.

Community Paddle Out
From 10am
Saturday, October 22
Brabazon Point on the Huon River