Environment Tasmania has responded to the ‘green-light’ for Tassal’s expansion on the east coast with concerns that the review panel selected by Minister Rockliff to assess the proposed development failed to consider the scientific research on best-practice salmon farming.
“The review panel hand-picked by Minister Rockliff says Okehampton Bay if fine for industrial development because it compares favourably with Tassal’s other farms – not because it meets international best-practice.”
“They have ignored international research in favour of Tassal’s corporate science and completely ignored the fact that the community is saying Tassal’s practices aren’t good enough – we need best-practice to protect not just the environment but jobs in Tasmania’s tourism and commercial fishing sectors and our recreational fishing and sailing communities,” said Laura Kelly, Environment Tasmania.
Environment Tasmania recently published a review of research into best-practice salmon farming, which found that best-practice site depth is at least 50 metres and water temperatures above 17 degrees celcius are unsuitable for salmon – leading to sub-lethal stress. With a mean site depth of 28 metres and water temperatures quoted within the marine farm development plan for Okehampton Bay of up to 23.5 degrees celcius, Okehampton Bay clearly fails to meet best-practice criteria.
“Okehampton Bay will suffer the same damage we have seen at Tassal’s other farms – with the added challenges of a warming East Australian current and toxic algal blooms,” Ms Kelly said.
Laura Kelly Strategy Director Environment Tasmania
