Media release – Tasmanian Alliance for Marine Protection (TAMP), 15 August, 2023
TAMP release new map on Tasmanian SALMON & FINFISH AQUACULTURE IMPACT ZONES 2023 outlining the threat to communities from Industrial salmon
Tasmania’s Coastline Under Threat and Unprotected FROM INDUSTRIAL SALMON EXPANSION
The Tasmanian Alliance for Marine Protection (TAMP) has released a new and detailed map revealing the areas impacted from industrial salmon farming around the state.
Tasmanians should be appalled at the extent of a destructive industry set to double its expansion by 2030. The new map highlights the existing leases, and critical impacts not the least being that the Maugean skate found only in Macquarie Harbour is being pushed to the brink of extinction.
TAMP affiliates, along with other activist organisations, insist the government address the many concerns raised by community groups and scientists. All state politicians will be given a copy of the map and asked to outline their position on protecting Tasmania’s coast and waterways from the damaging effects of the Atlantic farmed salmon industry.
“Information on various government and industry websites is scattered,” says Trish Baily, VP of TAMP. “It should not take a community group to gather this information. The map shows a comprehensive picture of the extent that the foreign-owned salmon companies are taking over Tasmania’s waterways. They are doing so for their own profits, to the detriment of our environment, amenity, community health, and well-being.”
Neighbours of Fish Farming Vice President, Lisa Litjens, said: “Government and industry can no longer ignore communities living with the scurge of industrial salmon feedlots. They are destroying our waterways and our native animals, and subjecting salmon to a cruel and unnatural existence.”
Peter McGlone CEO of the Tasmanian Conservation Trust said: “This map vividly displays the massive impacts the salmon industry has on Tasmania’s environment. The TCT will work with all organisations to ensure that seafood consumers across Australia get this map, thus helping them understand the impact of their choices. The real effects of buying Tassal, Huon Aquaculture and Petuna Sea Foods Tasmanian Atlantic salmon products must be known.”
Despite the state government’s recent admission that the salmon industry has no social licence, they continue to fail in addressing community concerns; clearly evident in the growing numbers of Tasmanians, and mainlanders, opposed to salmon feedlots. There is a global resistance to salmon aquaculture, and it’s not going away. This new map reinforces why so many of us want industrial salmon out of our waterways.
