Media release – Neighbours of Fish Farming (NOFF), 14 March 2025

NOFF RALLY VOTE SALMON OUT! Sunday 16th March Verona Sands

On Sunday 16th March, exactly one month after the rotting chunks of diseased salmon started washing up on shores around the Huon Valley and Bruny
Island, the community has a simple message:

VOTE SALMON OUT!

Neighbours of Fish Farming (NOFF) is rallying community support for changes in the way our waterways are treated. Events commence at 11am at Verona Sands beach, Verona Sands.

More and more Tasmanians are saying NO to foreign-owned corporations who put greed and profits over environment, animal welfare and communities.
Verona Sands was ground zero for the major pollution unfolding in the Huon and Channel areas over the past month. After a deadly bacterial outbreak, eight beaches have been officially reported, horrific animal welfare issues exposed, and landfill sites are overflowing with dead and diseased salmon. Locals will not stand for this anymore.

Speakers at the rally include Richard Flanagan, author of TOXIC, Peter George, independent candidate for Franklin, Owen Fitzgerald, Greens candidate for Franklin, Kirsten Bacon, local resident and film producer, and Gerard Castles from Killora community association, Bruny Island.

“We expect to see a huge community turnout, on land and in the water. Coastal communities are absolutely reeling after the blatant disregard for their concerns and the mishandling of this crisis,” says Jess Coughlan, Campaigner at Neighbours of Fish Farming.

“It’s been nearly a month and we have not heard from the state Minister for the Environment nor the Minister for Health, a Franklin representative. The Department of Health should be warning the public of the pollution in recreational areas. The federal Minister for Fisheries, Julie Collins—another member for Franklin—has been silent.

“It’s a shameful disregard for her community and the environment which sustains it,” says NOFF Acting President, Lisa Litjens.

“It’s time to vote salmon out.”