BBF Installs Antibiotic Warning Signs At Boat Ramps

The EPA released preliminary findings today claiming low Florfenicol residue levels in southern Tasmania.

Before publishing the government account, Tasmanian Times questioned the EPA and Department of Health over the discrepancy between reported dissipation and the 3km fishing exclusion zone. Concurrently, the Bob Brown Foundation has installed its own signs at boat ramps, accusing the government of withholding clear public health information. Alistair Allan said the community-led signage addresses an information void during the peak Christmas fishing season.

Media Release – Bob Brown Foundation, 22 December 2025

Antibiotic warning signs put up at boat ramps after government refuses to

Today, Bob Brown Foundation has begun putting up community information at boat ramps statewide, showing where industrial fish farms use antibiotics and which areas could be affected. This comes as hundreds of kilograms of the antibiotic florfenicol have been dumped into Lutruwita / Tasmania’s waterways by industrial salmon companies.

The signs are intended to fill an information void after the government ignored calls for signage at boat ramps and beaches.

The government has failed to inform the community about where and when florfenicol is used, with the only source of this information being a website that is hard to navigate.

Bob Brown Foundation is calling for government signage at boat ramps and beaches near industrial fish farms to warn of antibiotic risk.

“With a warning not to fish within three kilometres of fish farms being treated with florfenicol for at least 21 days if you are concerned about antibiotic contamination, it is important for the community of recreational water users to be informed of these recommendations in a timely and easily accessible way,” said Alistair Allan, Bob Brown Foundation Antarctic and Marine Campaigner.

“Our signage has a QR code you can scan that will show you exactly where florfenicol is being used and if it affects your local area.”

“It’s shocking that the government is allowing factory salmon farms to use such huge quantities of antibiotics while refusing to provide clear information at boat ramps and beaches.”

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.