In a surprising political shift on 17 August 2025, the Tasmanian Government, led by the caretaker Premier, Jeremy Rockliff, announced a significant change in its stance on the salmon industry. The government revealed plans for an independent study and a temporary pause on marine expansion for the industry. Ministers Gavin Pearce and Madeleine Ogilvie supported the move, with Ogilvie also committing to a new Marine Environment Tasmania Act.
The announcement drew mixed reactions from various groups. The Tasmanian Greens and independent MHAs Craig Garland and Peter George cautiously welcomed the news, seeing it as a victory and a potential turning point after years of pressure. They emphasised the need for true independence and robust new laws.
However, the Australian Workers’ Union strongly condemned the decision, accusing the Premier of betraying workers to stay in power. The Tasmanian Chamber of Commerce and Industry also voiced concern, stating that the sudden policy change would damage business confidence.
Environmental groups Environment Tasmania and The Australia Institute praised the move as a major step forward for ocean health.
Conversely, the Bob Brown Foundation and Neighbours of Fish Farming (NOFF) were highly critical, calling the announcement a cynical and insufficient attempt to delay real action. They argued that a pause and another review would not solve the existing environmental problems.
Media release – Jeremy Rockliff, Premier; Gavin Pearce, Minister for Primary Industries and Water; Madeleine Ogilvie, Minister for Environment, 17 August 2025
Continuous improvement for the salmon industry
The Tasmanian Government will launch an independent study of the salmon industry to ensure its long-term sustainability and environmental efficacy.
Premier Jeremy Rockliff said we expect the salmon industry to operate transparently and responsibly and meet its obligations to the community.
“To support the salmon industry to meet its social licence in line with contemporary environmental expectations, we will deliver an independent study of the industry,” Rockliff said.
“I said clearly, after the mass mortality event of last summer, the industry is on notice.
“I do not resile from that; we must always seek to strike a balance between sustainable primary industries and our unique natural environments in which they operate.
“We are on the side of Tasmanians. We know how important transparency is to the industry, so we expect them to fully participate in the study.
“Our Government would want to see, from this study, practical reforms and smarter regulations that protect our environment, but also investment certainty for industry.”
Terms of reference will be created in collaboration with the Parliament; however, the Government is eager to focus on:
- existing and proposed monitoring, regulation, environmental standards, compliance and penalties, and legislation, and whether they need to be strengthened or changed;
- disease and antibiotic use, scientific research and environmental impacts;
- international research into methods of fish-farming, including land-based and offshore;
- capturing the true impacts of the industry on public waterways, the environment and infrastructure, to ensure that all costs to the government are recovered through the cost recovery model; and
- the scientific, economic and environmental benefits and impacts of the industry for our marine environment, communities, jobs and economy, drawing on local and international experience.
The study will be conducted by an independent off-island specialist organisation in this field.
There will be a pause on marine expansion of the industry while the study is completed.
The Government will also remove finfish farming from zones where the area is not subject to an existing marine farming lease.
Primary Industries and Water Minister, Gavin Pearce, said the Government backs workers across the salmon industry.
“We know salmon workers are committed to the highest environmental and animal welfare standards and want to see continuous improvement in their industry for the benefit of our marine ecology,” Pearce said.
“I want the industry to continue to have the strong backing of Tasmanians from all walks of life.
“This will be achieved through ongoing transparency and accountability.”
Environment Minister, Madeleine Ogilvie, said we will now take two clear strategic steps to improve environmental outcomes.
“We will develop and deliver a Marine Environment Tasmania Act, in consultation with the parliament and the community, and we will further strengthen regulatory oversight,” Ogilvie said.
The independent Environmental Protection Authority (EPA), established by the Liberal Government in 2021, will be further strengthened.
“Our Government established the independent EPA and has nearly tripled its funding over this period.
“We will continue to strengthen the independent EPA, enabling it to be fully authorised and resourced to regulate all salmon-related matters”.
This will include:
- monitoring requirements of industry (including benthic health);
- antibiotic use;
- illness and mortalities (including marine and bird life interactions); and
- with full public reporting on matters of public interest.
“Our waste management sector will also be tasked with ensuring management of aquaculture industry waste meets contemporary standards and community expectations.”
Media release – Tasmanian Greens, Rosalie Woodruff MP, Greens Leader – 17 August 2025
Turning The Tide On Tasmania’s Toxic Salmon Industry
For decades the Greens and local communities have been fighting a salmon industry that has brought the marine environment to the brink. The Liberals have finally recognised something must be done.
The Greens welcome Jeremy Rockliff’s announcement of an immediate moratorium on the expansion of the salmon industry, his commitment to making the EPA truly independent, a root and branch review of fish farm laws, and establishing an ecosystems-based Marine Environment Act. These will be done with the stated intention of properly regulating an industry that has done so much unchecked damage to our waterways.
This is, of course, just the beginning. The Greens will do everything we can to make sure the promised review is truly independent and that the new laws and regulations are robust and effective at protecting the environment. The scope and terms of reference of any review must be negotiated with the Greens and other crossbench members who campaigned to clean up fish farming.
We expect to see a formal cancelling of industry expansion into Bass Strait and Storm Bay to protect endangered native species and to stop the devastating impacts industrial farms would cause on sensitive marine ecologies.
We also want Jeremy Rockliff to confirm there will be no ability for companies to increase the number of pens, biomass or stocking levels in existing leases to circumvent the no “spatial expansion” element of the moratorium. Our bays, estuaries and rivers have reached their ecological limits – they can’t cope with any more fish farm pollution.
History tells us to be cautious. The Liberals have an terrible record of inaction on environmental protection. The Liberal government ignored the recommendations of the 2021 Finfish Inquiry, along with the key recommendations of the 2024 State of the Environment Report – all cheer led by Labor.
However, we see this announcement as a potential turning point. It must be.
The Greens have been standing on Tasmania’s shores and beaches with so many communities and organisations, for years and years. And we have always fought hard in Parliament to protect our beautiful marine environment and wildlife from the impacts of industrial salmon farming and the power of global corporates.
In Storm Bay, along the north-west coast, all around the Tasman Peninsula, the Huon and Channel, Macquarie Harbour, Okehampton Bay, Bruny Island and the Southern Beaches we have been standing with local communities against the appalling damage this industry has wrought on marine life and a way of life that is treasured.
This is what having the Greens in balance of power looks like. We have put unrelenting pressure on the Liberal and Labor parties, and now the necessity of working together in this minority Parliament has delivered change.
The Greens want to acknowledge the hard work and involvement of independents Kristie Johnston, Craig Garland and Peter George. This strong, progressive crossbench, working together is already having an effect – we have so much more to do for all Tasmanians.
There is a lot to question and scrutinise in this announcement. We will be working with all of you who care about our marine waterways to hold the Liberals to account on what they have promised.
Our welcoming of this announcement is in no way an endorsement of the Liberals. Their decade-long term of government has left Tasmania worse off environmentally and economically. That said, so far Labor have not shown any openness to hearing the concerns of local communities and scientists about industrial salmon harms.
Today will be another test for Dean Winter. There is still time for Labor to bring tangible environmental changes to the crossbench to consider.
The Greens’ door is always open to work on positive outcomes for Tamanians. We will always stand up for our natural and wild places and local communities.
Media release – Craig Garland, independent MHA for Braddon, 17 August 2025
Garland welcomes Liberal announcement on marine environment
Tasmania’s oceans are in trouble. Over summer we’ve seen rotting salmon lining our beaches, and salps and jellyfish choking our waterways, and we now watch with dread the ecological disaster unfolding in South Australia, where dolphins, sharks and fish are washing up dead on beaches.
The halt to salmon farm expansion announced today by the Premier is an important and welcome first step. Before things can get better, we must stop them from getting worse. While I still have questions about the detail, I cautiously welcome the move.
For too long this Government has seen our oceans as a resource to be exploited; an empty space to be developed. In fact, they are fragile, living ecosystems that are sick and under stress, that urgently need our help to rebuild resilience. That’s why I strongly support the Premier’s commitment to legislate a Marine Environment Act.
As part of my election campaign, I called for exactly this kind of approach which would include the creation of an independent marine authority to bring experts and communities to the table, strengthen monitoring, expand marine protected areas, and develop long-term plans to balance the competing uses of our waters. Protecting and restoring our oceans is essential if we are to withstand the growing threats of climate change, pollution, biodiversity loss and invasive species.
Meeting this challenge will take a whole-of-government and whole-of-community effort. It’s not just about one department or one industry—it’s about everyone who loves and relies on the sea working together and making compromises.
This is not about shutting industries down—I’ve made my livelihood from fishing, and I highly respect those who work on the water. It’s about balance, so that Tasmania can have both healthy oceans and productive industries for the future.
What we need now is a clear vision for the long-term future of our marine environment, a unified strategy and stronger protections, so that our coastal waters remain healthy, productive, and teeming with life for generations to come. A Marine Environment Act, if done right, can provide this.
I now call on the Labor Party to back in this reform.
Media release – Peter George MP, independent MHA for Franklin, 17 August 2025
Cautious welcome to temporary halt to salmon industry expansion “The devil will be in the details”
Liberal Party proposals for the salmon industry could provide welcome if temporary protection from industry’s imminent plans for massive expansion in Storm Bay and moves into Bass Strait.
The Liberals’ announcement is a response to proposals made by Independent MPs Craig Garland and Peter George in a letter sent a week ago to leaders of both the Liberal and Labor parties.
“Craig and I put a five-point proposal to Jeremy Rockliff and Dean Winter outlining a compromise position, proposing a moratorium on expansion, a full and independent scientific and economic inquiry into the industry’s impact on waterways, community and the economy and a resource rental tax on industry turnover,” said George.
“There has been no response from Labor so far and Rockliff’s new proposal falls somewhat short of what we are seeking.
“However, this is a welcome start although the devil will be in the details.
“It would require a leap of faith in the good intentions of the Liberal party that until now has given nothing but obsequious backing to the industry.
“From my conversation with Rockliff yesterday, I am led to believe the proposed ‘pause’ means no more feedlots in Storm Bay, no increase in production tonnage and no expansion of the industry into Bass Strait either.
“This would give at least temporary protection from Petuna’s plans to install 50 massive salmon pens off Frederick Henry Bay in the north east of Storm Bay. It would also halt Tassal and Huon Aquaculture expansion plans in Storm Bay.
“I am confident that any genuine inquiry into the industry’s impact by a reputable and independent panel will produce findings very close to those of the Legislative Council’s Finfish Inquiry which recommended removal of pens from our shallow, vulnerable waterways.
“I remain committed to the eventual removal of the industry from our waterways and move to land-based production – an inevitable transition driven by warming waters, ever greater disease, over-use of antibiotics, collapsed social licence and impacts on our marine ecology resulting in toxic outbreaks like the devastating algal blooms in South Australia.
“In the meantime, Mr Garland and I accept as a compromise that the industry will continue to operate at current levels of production and employment.
“Craig Garland and I are pleased the Liberals have acknowledged the need for far greater regulation of the industry, much more transparency in its operations and the need for new overarching legislation to protect our island’s marine environment, proposals prepared by Garland and which I absolutely support.
Media release – The Australian Workers’ Union, 17 August 2025
Rockliff’s attempt to sacrifice salmon workers to Greens will be fought – Australian Workers’ Union
The Australian Workers’ Union has condemned Premier Jeremy Rockliff’s decision to launch an independent review of Tasmania’s salmon industry and pause its expansion, calling it a disgraceful betrayal of thousands of blue-collar workers to appease the Greens and environmental extremists.
AWU Tasmania Secretary Ian Wakefield said the Premier had let down every salmon worker, their families, and their communities across the state.
“Jeremy Rockliff has sold his soul to the Greens and as a sign of his loyalty he’s offered up the futures of 5,000 hardworking Tasmanians as sacrifice,” Wakefield said.
“The Premier has gone back on his word and commitments to every salmon worker who trusted the Liberals with their valuable vote. He literally signed a letter on 2 July promising not to trade the salmon industry ‘in any way, shape or form’ to retain government. Six weeks later, he’s done exactly that. His word is worthless.
“Rockliff pretended to support our members and their families, took their votes, then sold them out at the first opportunity to cling to power.
“The salmon industry is already the most heavily regulated primary industry in Tasmania. It operates under strict environmental monitoring, biomass caps, and nitrogen limits. This review is not a review, it’s a political weapon.”
Wakefield said the union would fight to protect its members’ jobs and their communities
“Our members have done nothing wrong. They work hard for an industry that follows world-leading science, meets every regulation, and produces a product Tasmania should be proud of,” he said.
“But instead of defending these workers and their families, Rockliff has chosen to treat them as political pawns to be sacrificed for his own survival.
“The AWU will stand with our members, their families and their communities every step of the way. We won’t let environmental extremists and political opportunists destroy the livelihoods of hardworking Tasmanians without a fight.”
Media release – The Australia Institute, 17 August 2025
Liberals plan for Marine Environment Act and salmon review a big step in the right direction
The Australia Institute welcomes the Tasmanian Liberal Party’s promise to conduct an independent study into the salmon industry, pausing marine expansion while the review is carried out.
Jeremy Rockliff’s promises to provide additional investment into the Environment Protection Authority and to introduce a Marine Environment Act are an even more significant step in the right direction.
Australia Institute research recommended an integrated, ecosystem-based approach to ocean management in our 2023 paper It’s Time: A proposal for a Tasmanian Integrated Marine Estate Act.
The Australia Institute has been conducting research into the salmon issue for a decade.
It shows Tasmanians want greater regulation over the salmon industry, while most support stopping salmon farming in areas where it is putting the endangered Maugean skate at risk.
“We congratulate the Tasmanian Liberals on this very significant announcement,” said Eloise Carr, Director of The Australia Institute Tasmania.
“Labor leader Dean Winter has the opportunity to prove that he is not determined to remain opposition leader by going to the negotiating table and matching this announcement.
“Another denial of salmon industry and other community concerns about the environment could mean Labor is set for another four long years of opposition.
“The Australia Institute has led the push for a Marine Environment Act that protects Tasmania’s ocean from pollution and builds resilience to the impacts of climate change. An ecosystem-based approach would allow the ocean to recover and replenish itself. Establishing a marine authority to implement this will be key to its success.”
Media Release – Bob Brown Foundation, 17/08/2025
A temporary halt on toxic salmon industry expansion does not come close to protecting Tasmania’s waters.
The announcement by Jeremy Rockliff and the Liberals that they are putting ‘a pause’ on industrial salmon farm expansion and starting a review of the industry is a cynical attempt to win crossbench support without actually doing anything to protect Tasmania’s waters from these environmentally destructive fish farms.
The Liberals last announced a temporary moratorium on salmon farm expansion while a review was conducted in 2021. That process was riddled with failure, with communities unable to have any impact on the reviews results, despite supposed consultation, and further expansion being approved.
Bob Brown Foundation is calling for the Liberals to permanently lock in no further industry expansion and instead commit to removing fish farms entirely from Tasmania’s waters.
“The factory fish farms in Tasmania are environmental nightmares. The industrial salmon pens already in Tasmania’s waters are destroying the marine environment. Thinking about not expanding the industry is not enough. The time has come to remove fish farms from Tasmania’s unique waterways completely,” said Alistair Allan, BBF’s Antarctic and marine campaigner.
“The promise of a temporary halt on expansion and yet another review has been made before and resulted in the community being ignored and the multinational salmon corporations being given the go ahead to expand even more. The Legislative Council did a comprehensive inquiry and review that stated fish farms should be removed from inshore waters years ago, and it was resolutely ignored.”
“Whoever wants government, either Liberal or Labor, must commit to removing all current fish farms from Tasmania’s waters and permanently legislate that the proposed expansion in Bass Strait and in Storm Bay be cancelled to protect the endangered native species that live there, such as the shy albatross and the critically endangered red handfish.”
“On a tour a few months ago, Huon Aquaculture confirmed that the current construction of their new grow-out facility would require it to put more pens in Tasmania’s waters. If this review process is to be taken seriously, Rockliff should now request they halt construction off the back of today’s announcement at a bare minimum,” said Allan.
Media Release – Environment Tasmania, 17 August 2025
Marine Environment Tasmania Act welcomed
Tasmania’s Conservation Council Environment Tasmania welcomes the Premier’s announcement of a Marine Environment Tasmania Act and an independent review into the salmon industry.
“Tasmania’s marine environment is world-class but has been declining rapidly in health in recent years due to industrial activities, climate change and invasive species.” says Rebecca Howarth, Senior Marine Campaigner for Environment Tasmania.
“The announcement today from the premier of a Marine Environment Tasmania Act, and the intention to bring the management of Tasmania’s marine environment in line with other states such as NSW and Victoria is very much welcomed.”
“A holistic and whole-of-picture approach which centres around eco-system health has been very much needed, and this takes us with enormous strides in the right direction”.
“Tasmania is an island state where the ocean not only underpins our economy but also is very much a part of our psychology and lifestyle. “
“With giant kelp forests disappearing, invasive species like long-spines sea urchin causing devastation and the threat of a deadly algal bloom like in SA, the community have been expressing concern that we needed to do more in the face of these threats.”
“We thank the premier for listening to the community who have been calling for a Marine Plan and Marine law reform for Tasmania, and we look forward to working together to ensure Tasmania’s marine ecosystems get the priority and protection they need”.
Media Release – Neighbours of Fish Farming, 17 August 2025
The proposed review and ‘pause’ on salmon industry expansion by the Liberals is too late and not enough.
The letter released today from Jeremy Rockliff to Independent crossbenchers Peter George and Craig Garland does nothing to allay concerns about the capture of our government by foreign-owned corporations.
“The announcement by the Liberals that they will set up a review into the salmon industry, and ‘pause’ expansion of current operations, is a farce,” said Lisa Litjens, NOFF President. “No change of any significance resulted from the comprehensive 2021 Legislative Council Finfish Inquiry, or the 2024 State of the Environment report”.
“We know what needs to be done, we do not need yet another inquiry.”
NOFF also questions the Liberals’ term “spatial expansion”.
Does this mean the industry will still be able to expand stocking densities within existing leases and pens? If so, we can assume it will increase the risk of anti-microbial resistance, outbreaks of Rickettsia and other diseases, and more mass mortalities like we saw last February. Does it include the so-called ‘research trial’ in Bass Strait, the onshore expansion of the hatchery and pen maintenance facilities at Whale Point, or the ensilage plant at Margate?
The review has as yet unspecified terms of reference, and will be conducted by an as yet unspecified external organisation. Proposed legislative changes lack detail, and all of this from a minority party in caretaker government whose future is yet to be decided by the newly-elected parliament.
“It is time for clear and concise action, not more empty promises delivering nothing but well-wrapped delays on real and permanent action,” said Jess Coughlan, Neighbours of Fish Farming campaigner.
This announcement should be treated for what it is – an attempt to get crossbench support to keep the Liberals in power, with no guarantee of any effective and urgent change to this rampant polluting industry.
Media release – The Tasmanian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, 17 August 2025
Business confidence at risk from sudden salmon shift
The Tasmanian Chamber of Commerce and Industry has expressed deep concern about today’s salmon announcement by the Liberals.
“Business and industry requires policy certainty in order to invest and create jobs”, TCCI CEO Michael Bailey said.
“We just had an election where both major parties expressed strong support for the salmon industry, which resulted in a Parliament where over two thirds of the elected members nominally support that sector,” Bailey said.
“Yet now, as a result of post-election political machinations, we have a completely different policy announcement which turns that upside down.
“Today’s decision sends the message that Tasmania is not a safe place to do business,” Bailey said.
Tasmanian Times (TT) is a community-based news and current affairs service covering the island state of Tasmania. It exists to provide a diverse view of Tasmanian issues. TT creates and supports independent media content utilising the best of modern technologies and tried-and-true practices of public-interest journalism.
Support us in expanding our coverage and developing new content by and for Tasmanians.
New initiatives on the way include:
- a weekly podcast covering current affairs
- a revamped website
- a monthly cartoon competition
- a user-friendly app for both Android and Apple devices
- a weekly roundup of key stories
