Report – Salmon Tasmania, 25 June 2023

The Tasmanian Salmon industry: a vital social and economic contributor

Read the full report here: https://salmontasmania.au/vital/.

Media release – Neighbours of Fish Farming, 25 June 2023

Salmon industry’s doomed attempt at Self-justification

Statement in response to Tasmanian salmon industry’s latest attempts to win back social licence

In another doomed attempt by the Tasmanian salmon industry to restore its ruined reputation, its newly-formed lobby group today launched a publicity campaign at a lunchtime event in the Huon Valley.

The campaign centres on a document that attempts to highlight the industry’s contributions to Tasmania while ignoring the damage it inflicts on the state’s waterways, marine life, communities and reputation.

NOFF president, Peter George states:

“Money can buy lunch for 1200 people and it can buy politicians but it can’t buy the truth.

Exaggerated job figures and a lobby group fronted by a former tourism salesman cannot persuade the 72% of Tasmanians who want to see coastal inshore salmon farming ended or that this foreign-owned industry is anything other than a machine for making money for its overseas owners while destroying the waterways and marine life Tasmanians love.

The document, apparently produced in collaboration with gun-for-hire consulting firm, Deloittes, comes replete with dubious claims, skewed data and a tidal wave of greenwashing while utterly failing to assess the realities of this destructive industry.

Any genuine, independent attempt to assess the industry’s contribution to Tasmania would produce a cost/benefit analysis scrutinising the industry’s costs and impacts on Tasmania’s wildlife, waterways, reputation, tourism, environment & communities.

It would also consider the costs & benefits of following the global trend of moving on to land, the costs to public of huge government subsidies and the loss of amenities to the entire state arising from gifting public waters to a polluting industry

This is yet another attempt to hoodwink Tasmanians into believing the industry’s spin.

Any economics teacher would grade this paper: FAIL.

Media release – Janie Finlay MP, Shadow Minister for Primary Industries and Water, 25 June 2023

Report shows we can’t take salmon industry for granted

Today’s release of the Salmon Tasmania Economic and Social Contribution Report shows just how important it is that we don’t take Tasmania’s salmon industry for granted.

At a time when the state is facing serious economic headwinds, an industry which generates more than $770 million worth of economic activity and supports more than 5,100 jobs is tremendously valuable to the state.

However even more important is the contribution the industry makes to regional areas, with almost 90 per cent of economic activity and 9 out of 10 jobs in regional communities.

As well as helping feed the nation with sustainable, healthy and affordable protein, Tasmania’s salmon industry does so much to put food on the table for local families.

Despite so many positives, this Liberal Government is trying to stifle the industry by introducing a moratorium and creating a salmon plan which has caused great uncertainty and angst for both industry and community.

The salmon industry is one of Tasmania’s greatest success stories, and it should be celebrated and encouraged to innovate and grow, not held back by a Government which is out of positive ideas.

Media release – Bob Brown Foundation, 26 June 2023

No economic benefit in destroying Tasmania’s waterways

In its latest attempt to hoodwink the community, Salmon Tasmania has released a report claiming that industrial salmon is nothing but an economic gain.

“The reality is that industrial salmon farming is destroying our public waterways and our unique environment, with not one sentence of the report accounting for the cost of the destruction of our unique and beautiful rivers bays and oceans,” said Alistair Allan, Marine campaigner at the Bob Brown Foundation.

“This is just more proof that all the industrial salmon industry cares about is short term profits at the expense of wild nature and Tasmania’s waters. It appears that the impending extinction of the Maugean skate in Macquarie Harbour means nothing when compared to a few bucks for multinational companies.”

Media release – Jo Palmer, Minister for Primary Industries and Water, 25 June 2023

Backing Tasmania’s salmon industry

Tasmania’s salmon industry employees have been recognised for their work at a special celebration on Sunday.

Primary Industries and Water Minister Jo Palmer was honoured to acknowledge the thousands of Tasmanians employed in jobs across the state’s salmon industry.

“The Rockliff Liberal Government backs our salmon industry and the hard-working people who have helped it become Tasmania’s largest primary industry sector,” Minister Palmer said.

“Since the first commercial harvest of fish in 1986, the industry and supply chain business have been evolving at a remarkable rate, delivering amazing innovation, developing world-leading technology and opportunity for Tasmania.

“We know this fantastic story wouldn’t be possible without the workforce that underpins the industry.

“It was wonderful to meet with so many workers at the Ranelagh event, and it was a fitting location with one in four jobs in the Huon Valley linked to the salmon industry.”

The Salmon Tasmania Economic Contribution Report was released as part of the celebration on Sunday.

“I welcome the report which shows the incredible contribution the industry makes to the Tasmanian economy in 2022, providing a substantial economic benefit to our regional communities,” Minister Palmer said.

“I commend the industry for its sustainable investment in Tasmania.”

The Rockliff Liberal Government is a strong supporter of a salmon industry that is economically successful, environmentally responsible, socially beneficial and well-managed.

“This Government will continue to work with the industry to support regional jobs and grow our economy,” Minister Palmer said.