Media release – Bob Brown Foundation, 29 January 2024
Mass salmon deaths reported – cruelty of this industry exposed again
Reports of mass mortalities of industrial farmed salmon around Tasmania show, once again, how destructive and cruel Tasmanian farmed salmon is to both wildlife and the salmon.
Bob Brown Foundation is calling for Salmon Tasmania to publicly disclose how many salmon are dying in its factory farms.
Bob Brown Foundation is also calling on the RSPCA to immediately stop certifying Tasmanian farmed salmon due to this massive animal welfare concern.
Salmon deaths and welfare are disregarded by the factory salmon farming industry. A study from the University of Victoria in Canada found that six countries produce 92 per cent of the world’s farmed salmon: Norway, Canada, UK, Chile, Australia and New Zealand. The university’s Gerald Singh and his colleagues analysed mortality data from these nations.
The team found that high mortality events increased between 2012 and 2022, particularly in Norway, Canada and the UK. A total of 865 million salmon died in that period.
“If it was pigs or chickens on a farm dying in their thousands, due to lack of oxygen, disease or parasites, and the only explanation was it was a normal part of operations, there would be outrage and the farm would be shut down immediately,” said Alistair Allan, Antarctic and Marine campaigner at Bob Brown Foundation.
“These are the factory farms of the sea, with tens of thousands of salmon crammed in cages, and a business model that is so callous that it is perfectly happy for huge numbers of fish to die. Factory salmon farming in Tasmania can see mass deaths of up to 15% of all animals farmed. It could be even higher, but Salmon Tasmania refuses to disclose the true number.”
“In Australia, the next highest mortality rate is factory-farmed chicken, which has a 4% mortality rate. Industrial salmon farms blow that out of the water. What is happening in Tasmania’s industrial fish farms is an animal welfare nightmare. It is inconceivable that the RSPCA, a society for the prevention of cruelty to animals, still believes it appropriate to certify these industrial farms of death.”
“The RSPCA is certifying not only these mass mortalities but also the cruel practice of using explosives and bean bag riot rounds on Tasmania’s protected Fur Seals. The RSPCA should immediately stop certifying Tasmanian farmed salmon if they want their label to have any integrity left at all,” said Alistair Allan.
Media release – Tasmanian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, 29 January 2025
Businesses want contest of ideas to improve confidence levels
The Tasmanian Chamber of Commerce and Industry is the voice of business in Tasmania and wants to see a contest of ideas from major parties to support and improve business confidence.
TCCI CEO, Michael Bailey, said the NAB Monthly Business Survey reflects the trends in the TCCI’s Survey of Business Expectations.
“Tasmanian businesses are resilient and are dealing with the challenges of higher interest rates, inflation, higher business costs and the broader cost of living,” Mr Bailey said.
“But we need both Labor and the Liberals to engage in a battle of ideas to help improve business conditions and raise confidence levels.
“Tackling the cost of doing business is one critical area. Insurance costs, energy costs, skills shortages and challenges with the State’s GBEs are all having an impact. We would like to see both Labor and the Liberals focus on these issues.
“We would also like to see a contest of ideas when it comes to planning and approvals. The uncertainty around major industries like salmon and major projects like Robbins Island are having a negative impact on business confidence.
“A war of words isn’t going to fix anything. We need a strong plan to tackle these challenges to improve confidence and we are looking to both major parties at a state and federal level to provide that clear leadership this year.”
Media release – Neighbours of Fish Farming, 30 January 2025
Massive salmon deaths occurring statewide: consumers have every right to ask if they are eating “sick fish”
Industrial salmon farms are experiencing massive mortalities across the state this summer, according to Burnie News Media outlet https://www.7sd.com.au/
It is astonishing that all three salmon companies are facing the consequences of the harmful industrialisation of Tasmanian waterways and claim ‘business as usual’.
Worldwide, there are increased mortalities right across the salmon industry: Tasmania is no exception. See BBC reporting here.
“Continuing to expand an industry when rapidly warming waters are against it is not sustainable management, it is profiteering at its worst—the consequence being the cruel deaths of thousands of salmon and environmental degradation,” says Jessica Coughlan, Campaigner at Neighbours of Fish Farming.
“When animals are dying in massive numbers before harvest, consumers have every right to ask if they are consuming sick fish.”
“Mass deaths in any livestock operation are a cause for grave concern, and the public should have the right to access exactly how many fish are dying in our public waterways, and exactly what is causing it. This would not be tolerated in cattle, sheep or pig farming without a serious inquiry. It should not be considered business as usual. We are well beyond that point.”
