Industrial Salmon Protest Attracts Hundreds as Watercraft Surround Tassal Lease

Media release – Neighbours of Fish Farming, 18 March 2023

Industrial salmon protest attracts hundreds as watercraft surround Tassal lease

The Tasmanian government was warned today that the growing movement against industrial salmon feedlots in coastal waters would spill into the next state elections.

The warning came as more than 100 craft and 400 people on the beach gathered for the Join In Salmon Out protest at Coningham Beach on the D’Entrecasteaux Channel today.

Many of the watercraft, including sailing boats, fishing vessels, tinnies and kayaks encircled the 25 Tassal Sheppards lease feedlots on the Channel, to demand that they be removed from the vulnerable waterway.

Killora Community Association’s Gerard Castles, the lead organiser, said the protest against industrial salmon were getting bigger as plans to expand the industry were being drawn up by the government.

“The message is pretty simple,” Mr Castles said. “Get out of our water, get on to land or get out of Tasmania.

“It’s a toxic industry.”

Booker Prize winning author, Richard Flanagan, said if the government failed to listen they would be punished at the polls.

“We need an ICAC to investigate why this industry seems to be above the law and we need new representatives who listen to the people. For those politicians who would dismiss this I have just two words: teal wave.”

People from across the state, including from NWTas for Clean Oceans, Tasman Peninsula Marine Protection, Marine Protection Tasmania (from the east coast) and numerous groups from the south east attended the protest.

Photos attached show: Protesting watercraft surrounding Tassal Atlantic salmon feedlots, Sheppards lease, D’Entrecasteaux Channel

Meanwhile … In Iceland:

A major conference based in Iceland witnessed the impact of Tasmanian industrial Atlantic salmon feedlots on the state’s waterways over the weekend.

The conference in the Icelandic capital, Reykjavik viewed the Neighbours of Fish Farming film ‘Toxic Tsunami’ featuring independent MP Kristie Johnston. View here.

The conference that attracted leading scientists and conservationists focused primarily on the impact of industrial salmon feedlots on the north American and European side of the Atlantic.

“Delegates learned about the damage the Tasmanian industry does to our waterways on the other side of the world,” says Peter George, president of Neighbours of Fish Farming.

“Internationally, those experts are astonished that the industrial feedlots in Tasmania are permitted in our shallow, inshore and vulnerable waterways – it’s something they simple haven’t witnessed anywhere else in the world.”

The Toxic Tsunami.mp4 from NOFF Tasmania on Vimeo.

Media release – Bob Brown Foundation, 18 March 2023

Community paddles out to say NO to salmon farms

Bob Brown Foundation has today supported the community who paddled out in a strong protest againast industrial fish farms in Tasmania’s D’Entrecasteaux channel.

It marks a growing movement of paddle outs around the state protesting industrial salmon farms.

“More and more, communities have had enough of salmon farms destroying their local beaches, rivers and bays,” said Alistair Allan, Fish Farms and Marine Campaigner at the Bob Brown Foundation.

“Community protest is the result of the complete disregard both salmon companies and the Tasmanian Government has for Tasmania’s environment,” Alistair Allan said.

“The destructive salmon industry and Tasmanian government can only expect protests to grow and grow, as more Tasmanians are ignored in their call for industrial fish farms to get out of our beautiful waterways,” Alistair Allan said.