A crisis is unfolding in Tasmania’s Atlantic salmon industry following a new outbreak of the Piscirickettsia salmonis disease in Huon Aquaculture pens near Roaring Beach. The outbreak has prompted an urgent, fast-tracked application to federal regulators for an unapproved antibiotic, Florfenicol, as current antibiotics are proving ineffective.
This has ignited a political firestorm, with independent MHA Peter George, Greens Leader Rosalie Woodruff, and environmental groups like Neighbours of Fish Farms and the Bob Brown Foundation demanding complete transparency and a moratorium on industry expansion. They are expressing serious concerns about the disease’s endemic nature, the potential for mass fish mortalities due to anticipated marine heatwaves, and the environmental and human health risks associated with the unapproved antibiotic.
In response, Minister for Primary Industries Gavin Pearce has acknowledged the situation, promising transparency and close monitoring while working with industry and experts to address the persistent bacteria.
Media release – Peter George, independent MHA for Franklin, 15 August 2025
Industry seeks to use new antibiotic not approved for use in Australian waters
Independent MP for Franklin, Peter George, has called for complete transparency about the extent of disease in the Tasmanian atlantic salmon industry.
The call follows a briefing George received from the caretaker Premier, Jeremy Rockliff, last night and a departmental briefing this morning.
“It’s clear there is a deeply concerning spread of disease in at least one part of the Huon River and D’Entrecasteaux Channel near Roaring Beach, close to Dover,” George says.
“The caretaker Premier, Jeremy Rockliff, called me last night to reveal he’d been in a high-level briefing about a ‘very serious event’ in the salmon industry.
“As a result, Rockliff told me the industry was seeking emergency provisions to use a new antibiotic that has not been approved in Australia for use in a marine environment.
“Both government and industry are expressing concern that the prospect of rapidly warming waters amounting to a marine heatwave may cause mass mortalities over the coming months.
“Despite this, the salmon industry spokesperson told crossbench and Labor MPs that there was no reportable mass mortality event but was very vague about the extent of the disease in pens off Roaring Beach or elsewhere.
“He conceded the disease, P. Salmonis, is now endemic to the industry, that current antibiotics are not effective and an emergency request had been submitted to federal regulators to introduce an antibiotic that has not been permitted in waterways before.
“The industry needs to be transparent and very, very clear about the extent of the disease and its impact but has hidden details behind commercial-in-confidence provisions meaning public servants are prohibited from revealing a great deal of information.
“This is unacceptable and regulators need the power to force disclosure of exactly what’s happening in our public waterways,” said George.
Media release – Neighbours of Fish Farms, 15 August 2025
Yet Another Rickettsia Outbreak in the Huon River—D’Entrecasteaux Channel: the beginning of environmental collapse?
After a summer where millions of salmon died, washing up in fatty lumps on Tasmania’s southern beaches, we have another Rickettsia outbreak— this time, in mid-winter.
It was revealed on ABC radio this morning that Huon Aquaculture’s salmon lease at Roaring Beach is infected with the deadly Rickettsia disease.
Of particular concern is the salmons’ lack of response to antibiotics.
More disease. More mortalities. More antibiotics in our waterways. How much longer will the multi-national corporations be allowed to cruelly-farm sentient creatures like Atlantic salmon in ever-warming waters?
If the precautionary principle were applied, as it should be, the Tasmanian government, the EPA—and the salmon industry— would be seriously concerned about further outbreaks of toxic algal blooms. Will there be environmental collapse in Tasmania like there is in South Australia?
“Come next summer, will industrial salmon farming repeat its disasters of just six months ago?” said Lisa Litjens, Vice President of Neighbours of Fish Farming.
“We can expect mortalities to increase again, more beaches to be closed, continued ineffective EPA monitoring, unless the newly-formed government works with the crossbenchers, and acts,” she said.
Huon Aquaculture—owned by Brazilian company, JBS—is planning to expand their operations at Port Huon, and to build an ensiling plant near Margate to process their dead salmon.
“This company is expecting so many dead fish that they are building a fertiliser plant to dispose of them. Surely, this is a failed business model?” Litjens said.
“And surely, we can do so much better by these creatures, our native marine life, and Tasmanian communities.’
“This industry must drastically scale-down. There must be no more expansion. And a transition out of our waterways must be put in place,” said Litjens.
“There are so many jobs to be created from regenerative aquaculture. It’s high time the government supported it before total environmental collapse.”
Media release – Rosalie Woodruff MP, Greens Leader 15 August 2025
Huon Aquaculture Calls the Shots While Government Agencies Left Guessing
News that a significant Piscirickettsia salmonis outbreak is occurring in Huon Aquaculture’s pens in the middle of winter is shocking, and more evidence of a marine environment in deep distress. It is more important than ever the Liberal and Labor parties recognise the need for stronger environment laws to rein in salmon corporations.
In an unprecedented move, the Liberal government, in caretaker-mode, has processed a fast-track application to the APVMA to approve an unregistered antibiotic for use by the salmon industry.
The Greens and crossbench MPs were invited to a multi-agency briefing after news from the Premier that a disease outbreak is occurring at Huon pens off Roaring Beach. In the farcical meeting, it took one and a half hours for MPs to get confirmation that a disease outbreak is, in fact, occurring.
Despite there being representatives from multiple agencies and industry on hand, none could clarify how substantial the outbreak is, and what is the “emergency” that justifies the government’s fast-track antibiotic application for florfenicol. They explicitly confirmed the current marine regulations do not require salmon companies to provide the full transparency needed for effective government protection of the environment.
Once again, it’s the multinational salmon companies who’s tail is wagging the dog.
The report into last summer’s disastrous mass salmon mortality event is still six weeks away. The Minister for Primary Industries Gavin Pearce has confirmed this summer is expected to be more of the same with higher water temperatures and P. salmonis now endemic in southern waters.
But we can’t have more of the same. The Greens have articulated very clearly a pathway to fix this industry with our ten-point salmon plan.
The Deputy Chief Veterinary Officer confirmed their advice to the Department was to medicate fish in the hope they will survive the disease this summer. We are deeply concerned at the potential environmental and human health impacts of the use of this antibiotic.
Florfenicol has known and unknown effects on wild fish and humans, including reproductive, renal, immune and developmental toxicity. But, we don’t know anything specific about how it will effect the Tasmanian marine environment – it is appalling the government is processing this application in haste.
With marine heatwaves the new normal, salmon companies must reduce stock, fallow pens, reduce stocking densities – and have an immediate moratorium on any expansion of this industry – amongst many other management strategies.
Now is the time for the Liberal and Labor parties to commit to real and lasting measures that will protect our marine environment.
The Greens expect marine protection outcomes to be explicitly stated before we return to parliament next week.
Media release – Gavin Pearce, Minister for Primary Industries and Water, 15 August 2025
Update on Piscirickettsia salmonis
The presence of Piscirickettsia salmonis, an endemic bacteria found in southern Tasmania, has persisted in salmon throughout winter.
It is being closely monitored by the Department of Natural Resources and Environment.
We know the salmon mortalities over summer caused serious concern across our community and the industry.
We are taking this very seriously.
A range of options are being considered by industry and experts to deal with Piscirickettsia salmonis, including vaccine development, adjusting production strategies and improving fish health surveillance.
Industry has also advised of an alternative antibiotic, Florfenicol, that it wants to use.
While the antibiotic has been successfully used overseas, it hasn’t been used in large quantities in Australia.
Our independent EPA and Chief Veterinary Officer will play an important role in providing advice to government and to industry on its use.
Animal welfare, biosecurity and the waterways must be at the forefront of everything industry does.
I have been clear with industry there will be consequences if it doesn’t adhere to the strict rules and act in the best interest of Tasmanians.
This is a reasonable expectation of any farmer or industry.
I convened a briefing with the crossbench, opposition, and independent MLCs to update them on the situation, and have committed to continuing to work with them on this issue.
We will compel companies to provide up-to-date information regarding any level of disease present in salmon across the State.
The situation will be monitored very closely, and I will be open and transparent about next steps.
Media release – Bob Brown Foundation, 15 August 2025
Another disease outbreak in factory fish farms reveals an industry in crisis
Today, it was revealed that the same disease, Piscirickettsia salmonis, responsible for the cruel and suffering deaths of over 3 million salmon last summer, has broken out in a Huon Aquaculture pen in Southern Tasmania, showing an industry in crisis.
It was also reported that the disease had now become resistant to the antibiotics used over the summer, and a new, unused, and yet-to-be-approved antibiotic would be required.
Bob Brown Foundation is calling for all fish farms to be removed from Tasmania’s waters immediately.
“This disease killed millions of fish in a horrible manner, to the outrage of the australian public. With it now present in winter, industrial fish farms will be faced with an unmitigated catastrophe as the waters warm over the next few months,” said Alistair Allan, Antarctic and Marine campaigner at Bob Brown Foundation.
“These factory farms of the sea are hives of cruelty, disease and pollution. Fish farms must be removed completely from Tasmania’s waterways before it is too late for our marine environment.”
“The solution is clear. It’s not unapproved antibiotics, it’s stopping this form of factory farming that has reached a crisis point.
“Industrial salmon farms must go,” said Allan.
Media release – Huon Valley Council, 15 August 2025
Council working with government stakeholders on salmon farming monitoring
Huon Valley Council is keeping abreast of activities with key government stakeholders to ensure appropriate oversight and reporting of salmon farming operations in our valley. This involves working alongside multiple agencies to protect both environmental and public health interests.
We are aware of inconsistent media reports and wanted to let you know our current understanding and involvement with key government agencies.
Current situation
The Department of Natural Resources and Environment have undertaken salmon pen inspections yesterday in the D’Entrecasteaux Channel and have stated today that there is no evidence of a mass mortality event. It is however confirmed that P. salmonis is now endemic to Tasmanian waters and ongoing control measures including vaccination and antibiotics will be required to prevent future mass mortality events occurring.
Key government partners
Council is working with:
• EPA Tasmania, who ensures robust antibiotic residual monitoring programs are in place for any medication events in salmon farming
• The Director of Public Health, who provides advice on human health risk assessments
• Department of Natural Resources and Environment Tasmania, who oversee industry compliance and animal welfare standards
Monitoring programs
EPA Tasmania is developing comprehensive monitoring schedules that assess:
• Sediments and conditions beneath fish farming pens
• Water quality in surrounding areas
• Wild fish both within and at distances from farming operations
These programs are informed by scientific evidence, international research, and advice from the Director of Public Health.
Transparency and public information
All monitoring results will be made publicly available through EPA Tasmania’s website: Home | EPA Tasmania. This ensures community members have access to current information about environmental and health assessments in our valley.
Council’s role
Huon Valley Council continues to advocate for scientific monitoring of aquaculture activities, transparent and factual reporting of environmental assessments and protection of our marine environment and community health.
Ongoing commitment
Council remains committed to collaborating with government agencies, industry, and community members to ensure salmon farming activities meet environmental and public health standards.
Media Release – Salmon Tasmania, 15 August 2025
Salmon Industry Strengthens Fish Health Management
There is no mass mortality event occurring, despite claims.
Following the summer event, the Tasmanian salmon industry has stepped up its response to P. salmonis, which is present in Tasmanian coastal waters.
There is no single solution to managing P. salmonis. This means our farmers and veterinarians need to continue actively managing the bacterium as part of normal farming operations.
New actions include improved vaccines, stronger biosecurity, feed adjustments, on-farm innovations, and new treatment options.
Florfenicol antibiotic has been identified as an important treatment option that, compared to current treatments, requires lower doses, is absorbed more efficiently, and breaks down faster in the environment.
The industry has been engaging with the State Government since February on the intended use of Florfenicol.
There is no confirmed intended treatment.
The industry remains committed to fish welfare, environmental protection and the ongoing support of the communities it operates in.
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