Environment Tas: Tassal Shooting Cormorants is Unacceptable

Media release – Environment Tasmania, 21 May 2024

Out-of-sight, out-of-mind salmon farming kills more wildlife

Thirty six great cormorants were recorded to have died at a Tassal salmon farm at the end of last year and another 53 were shot, with permission from the Tasmanian government.

This information has been uncovered only after a Rights to Information Request was made by the Tasmanian Inquirer.

Early in the piece when Tassal first noticed cormorant trapped in their pens in December 2023, they could have upgraded their infrastructure to more appropriately-sized mesh, smaller mesh that cormorants can’t push through and become entangled. They chose not to do so at that moment. After a large number of birds became entangled, they obtained a permit to put to dozens of birds to death.

“What era are we in when an industry that the government is spruiking to be world-class, is shooting protected species? This is completely unacceptable, this is 2024,” says Rebecca Howarth, Marine Campaigner for Environment Tasmania.

“It is an absolute tragedy that the death of these cormorants was avoidable with the right size netting. Soon after the incidents, Tassal upgraded their netting to a smaller mesh size, from 100mm to 70mm which was appropriate sizing. So these cormorants died needlessly.

“Tassal are operating in public waters owned by Tasmanians, and the public’s expectation, if they are going to do so, is that marine life should not die at their farms. And tragically they do. Every single year, seals and birds die at fish farms in Tasmania.”

“An incident like this could happen again. We just don’t know how widespread are the issues of poorly maintained nets, or inappropriate mesh size. It is totally unacceptable. The Tasmanian government must commence an full audit of all farm infrastructure immediately to ensure more seabirds don’t die needlessly.”

Media release – Bob Brown Foundation, 21 May 2024

Salmon giant licensed to kill native wildlife to protect profits

RTI documents have revealed that the giant industrial salmon company, Tassal, shot and killed native cormorants inside salmon pens, completely government sanctioned.

This continues a long tradition of salmon companies killing or injuring native wildlife, whether it be protected fur seals, native fish, and now seabirds.

“Wherever industrial salmon farms are, they cause pain, suffering and death to native animals. In Macquarie Harbour they are driving the Maugean skate to extinction, while at Coningham beach they are opening fire on cormorants. These farms are disastrous for Tasmania’s wildlife,” said Alistair Allan, Antarctic and Marine campaigner, Bob Brown Foundation.

“Tassal’s cormorant killing is aided and abetted by the Liberal and Labor parties in Tasmania. They are all killing Tasmania’s reputation and brand for naturalness. These ancient birds have been around for 20 million years and each may live 20 years. Their diet has always been fish. Now Tassal puts out cormorant-calling cages of salmon and then is licensed to kill the birds that get in through flimsy, netting. Bullets are cheaper than adequate nets. It is scandalous behaviour by all concerned,” said Bob Brown.