Marine farming conference a timely discussion regarding Tasmania’s second biggest industry
Next week’s conference, Managing Marine Farming: Have We Achieved Best Practice?, will provide a timely opportunity for industry, government and community representatives to explore whether current laws can ensure that aquaculture operations in Tasmania are sustainable and in line with international best practice.
The conference, to be held at the Stanley Burbury Theatre on 8 March 2012, comes just days before public hearings commence for the proposed expansion of salmon farming in Macquarie Harbour, and a few weeks after the announcement of significant government investment in operations in Tasmania’s south east.
The conference will be opened by His Excellency, the Honourable Peter Underwood, Governor of Tasmania, and chaired by Duncan Kerr SC. International and local speakers will provide their perspectives on best practice planning and regulation, research priorities, accreditation, problems with the current system and areas in which the Tasmanian industry is leading the way.
EDO Tasmania’s principal lawyer, Jess Feehely, says that hearing from international experts provides an invaluable insight into how Tasmania is performing against global indicators.
“Dr Hamish Rennie has extensive experience in marine farming regulation in New Zealand, and Dr John Volpe was responsible for developing the Global Aquaculture Performance Index. Both have a lot of advice to offer on how Tasmania can learn from mistakes made elsewhere, and we hope that government and industry are willing to listen.”
She also encouraged broad participation in the conference:
“Tasmania’s aquaculture industry is an economic success story, and it is important to make sure that its growth is managed sustainably and in accordance with community expectations. The conference will provide a great opportunity for anyone with an interest in marine farming to share their views on how the industry is performing currently, what Tasmania is doing right and what we need to improve.”
Tasmanian speakers include:
Wes Ford (General Manager, Water and Marine Resources, DPIPWE)
Dr Catriona MacLeod (Estuaries and Coasts programme, IMAS)
Dr Adam Main (Tasmanian Salmonid Growers Association)
Jeffrey Whayman (Tasmanian Shellfish Executive Council)
Gerard Castles (Businessman and Bruny island resident)
Jon Bryan (Tasmanian Conservation Trust)
Tom Baxter (School of Corporate Accounting and Governance, UTas)
Details regarding the conference are available at www.edo.org.au/edotas.
Please find below the programme for the upcoming conference, Managing Marine Farming: Have We Achieved Best Practice?
We also invite all delegates to join us for a boat trip on 7 March 2012 to visit marine farming operations, accompanied by relevant experts. The tour will be operated by the Wild Thing II (leaving from Hobart), and will be a fun, informative and visually spectacular morning on the water!
For more details or to register, visit our website at www.edo.org.au/edotas.
Tasmanian Aquaculture Reform Alliance Inc
level 1, 100 Elizabeth Street, Hobart 7000
Ph: 03 6270 1734
http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Tasmanian-Aquaculture-Reform-Alliance/321632901196806
Download program:
Managing_Marine_Farming_-_programme.pdf
Tasmanian Aquaculture Reform Alliance Inc
