The Aquaculture Stewardship Council (ASC) has approved a Variance Request (VR) for Tassal, allowing the temporary and controlled use of “seal crackers” to protect worker safety.
This decision has been met with strong opposition from the Bob Brown Foundation, which accuses the ASC of abandoning its “zero-tolerance” policy on the use of seal bombs and compromising the welfare of native seals for commercial gain. The ASC defends its decision as a balanced, temporary measure that prioritises staff safety while mandating a clear plan for Tassal to ultimately phase out the use of the deterrents and work towards long-term solutions with stakeholders.
The following contrasting media releases highlight a fundamental disagreement over whether the decision is a necessary safety adaptation or a betrayal of the ASC’s core environmental principles.
Media release – Bob Brown Foundation, 8 August 2025
Aquaculture Stewardship Council (ASC) allows native seals to be attacked with explosives, despite alleged zero tolerance policy.
Yesterday, it was announced that the ASC will grant industrial fish farm company, Tassal, an exemption to its supposed “zero-tolerance” policy on the use of seal bombs on Tassal factory farms in Tasmania.
Bob Brown Foundation is calling for the cancellation of Tassal’s ASC and the cessation of the use of seal bombs. Failing that, ASC must be honest and transparent with consumers and remove any mention of a zero-tolerance policy on the use of seal bombs and acoustic deterrents from their website and certification scheme.
“Once again, ASC has shown that consumers should have no trust in seafood certifications. ASC claims to have a zero-tolerance policy on the use of seal crackers and explosives.
Yet, unbeknownst to all but the most diligent and investigative shopper, Tassal has been granted the right to continue harming, injuring and killing Tasmania’s native wildlife to put salmon on supermarket shelves,”
said Alistair Allan, Bob Brown Foundation Antarctic and Marine Campaigner.
“If you buy ASC certified Tasmanian salmon, you are buying a product that requires the cruelty, injury and even death of Tasmania’s native seals. It is a complete mockery of a system if, every time a company can’t meet the prescribed standard, it is given an exemption.”
“ASC should be upfront with consumers, remove any mention of their zero-tolerance policy, and be forthright in saying that ASC-certified farmed salmon allows the harm, injury and death of native seals in Tasmania,” said Alistair Allan.
Media release – Aquaculture Stewardship Council, 7 August 2025
Worker Safety a Priority for ASC in Seal Cracker Decision
Aquaculture Stewardship Council (ASC) has approved a Variance Request (VR) to allow the limited and controlled use of seal crackers by trained staff, in exceptional circumstances, on Tassal operated ASC certified farms in Tasmania. The approval of the request aims to protect worker health and safety while facilitating the discontinuation of Tassal’s use of crackers. The approval of the request aims to protect worker health and safety, while facilitating the discontinuation of Tassal’s use of crackers.
In line with ASC’s mission to drive continuous improvement, the approval of this VR commits Tassal to collaborate with stakeholders—including academia, technology and infrastructure providers, and government—to develop effective measures to mitigate worker–seal interactions and ultimately phase out the use of crackers.
A time bound project plan aimed at eliminating the use of crackers and a six-monthly status report including data on cracker use must be submitted to ASC. Additionally, there must be no significant increase in cracker usage.
ASC is committed to ensuring that farmed seafood is produced in an environmentally and socially responsible way. The ASC Salmon Standard ensures that ASC certified farms adhere to good management practices that include reducing impact on the environment, protecting wildlife as well as ensuring the safety and wellbeing of staff on farms.
On 21 June 2024, ASC received a Variance Request (VR) to the Salmon Standard from Conformity Assessment Body (CAB) SCS Global, on behalf of Tassal. The VR process enables ASC to evaluate an adaptation of a global standard to a local context. This aligns with the International Social and Environmental Accreditation and Labelling Alliance (ISEAL) Codes of Good Practice. Any adaptation should still be in line with the original intention of the requirement.
The VR sought to allow the controlled and limited conditional use of seal crackers by trained staff holding the appropriate legal permit, when worker safety is endangered. This would apply to the eight Tassal salmon farms which are ASC certified (none of which are in Macquarie Harbour).
In making this decision, the Standard VR Committee considered stakeholder feedback from NGOs and the Australian Workers Union. Due to the complexity of the issue, the Committee requested an additional Technical Targeted Consultation be conducted for further technical input from experts. Having carefully considered all the evidence and feedback, the Committee emphasised that the health and safety of farm staff must be prioritised above any other consideration. The Committee therefore agreed that the use of controlled acoustic deterrents by trained holders of a valid Seal Deterrent Device Permit may be used occasionally to prevent dangerous interactions that could lead to injuries to workers or animals.
Allowing the limited use of seal crackers, under strict controls and with a mandated plan to ultimately cease cracker use, strikes a necessary balance between animal welfare, operational safety, and environmental protection.
This decision reflects ASC’s commitment to social responsibility, ensuring safe and responsible aquaculture practices and driving improvement in the farmed seafood industry.
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
