Independent MP for Franklin Peter George has called for an immediate investigation after rotting salmon flesh and entrails washed up on Verona Sands on Christmas Day.
George has written to ministers for health- environment- and primary industries seeking transparency regarding the source of the waste. Residents fear the remains may be diseased fish treated with the antibiotic florfenicol. This incident follows a similar environmental scandal in the region twelve months ago. George noted that constituents are currently collecting their own samples due to a lack of trust in official oversight.
Media release – Peter George MHA, Independent MP for Franklin, 26 December 2025
Christmas Day horror
Independent MP for Franklin, Peter George, has called for an immediate investigation into reports by his constituents of rotting farmed salmon flesh and entrails washing up on a treasured SE Tasmanian beach.
“Residents at Verona Sands woke up on Christmas Day to find rotting fish entrails and flesh on their famous beach – reportedly the remains of Atlantic salmon from nearby fish farms.
“I have written to the responsible ministers for health, environment and primary industries calling for a full and open investigation into how these nauseating remains came to be washing up on this popular beach on Christmas Day (letter below).
“I call on the government and the responsible ministers to ensure an immediate, full and transparent investigation with no cover-ups.
“If, as believed, this turns out to be another salmon industry-driven outrage, then responsibility must be sheeted home to the offending multinational – Tassal or Huon.
“It comes almost exactly 12 months after rotting salmon from the fish farms washed up of SE Tasmanian foreshores, from Verona Sands to Bruny Island – an environmental scandal that has still not been properly investigated nor penalties levied.*
“My constituents have been taking photos of the remains and collecting samples because they do not believe the authorities will act promptly to do the job properly.
“They’re deeply concerned the remains are those of diseased salmon from pens recently treated with the new antibiotic, florfenicol, and want to know what health risks they and their pets face.
With rapidly warming summer waters, disease is spreading through pens in the SE of Tasmania, leading fishers, visitors and residents fearing a “summer of antibiotics” in our waterways.
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