Primary Industries Minister Gavin Pearce has confirmed the closure of the commercial rock lobster fishery near diseased salmon pens south of D’Entrecasteaux Channel, citing concerns that antibiotic residues could prompt Japan and China to ban imports of Tasmania’s $90-million southern rock lobster industry.
The decision, made in collaboration with Tasmanian Seafood Industry Council CEO Julian Harrington, follows the deployment of florfenicol antibiotic in salmon pens, with independent Franklin MHA Peter George warning that insufficient consideration was given to impacts on commercial fishers, communities and the marine environment as warming waters trigger early disease outbreaks.
Media release – Peter George MHA, independent for Franklin, 15 November 2025
Rock Lobster fishery closed by salmon antibiotics – Minister confirms
Primary Industries Minister, Gavin Pearce, has confirmed to me that the rock lobster fishery near diseased salmon pens south of D’Entrecasteaux Channel has been closed due to fears for Tasmania’s export markets.
Mr Pearce says the decision was made in collaboration with the CEO of the Tasmanian Seafood Industry Council, Julian Harrington.
The export market is worth a potential $90 million annually, but customer countries insist there is no antibiotic residue in the flesh.
Mr Pearce told me
he was concerned that there should be no chance of customers like Japan and China finding reasons to ban the import of Tasmanian southern rock lobster.
I pointed out to him that sufficient thought had not been given to the impact of introducing the new antibiotic, Florfenicol, to Tasmanian waters or its impact on commercial fishers, communities and the marine environment.
Other areas are likely to be impacted as rapidly warming waters have already led to early outbreaks of P.Salmonis and a summer of antibiotics is expected in coming months.
Tasmanian Times (TT) is a community-based news and current affairs service covering the island state of Tasmania. It exists to provide a diverse presentation 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 … what our contributors and readers suggest! Please get in touch with your suggestions.
