Tasmania's salmon industry on alert after 'unprecedented' fish deaths | 7.30

Key Concepts

Mass mortality event, salmon farming, Huan Aquaculture, Tassal, bacterial disease, environmental impact, animal welfare, RSPCA certification, EPA investigation, political implications, sustainable practices, Macquarie Harbour.

Mass Mortality Event in Tasmanian Salmon Farms

Initial Reports and Drone Footage

• The Bob Brown Foundation gathered drone footage showing dead salmon in pens and being dumped, indicating a significant event on the waterways.
• Alist Allen, a campaigner with the foundation, noted the footage revealed "rotting bloated skin falling off fish," suggesting a catastrophic event beyond typical summer mortalities.

Scale and Impact

• Southern Tasmanian residents reported fishy lumps and carcasses on beaches since mid-February.
• Companies acknowledged a "large scale Mass mortality event" due to the fish getting sick.
• Huan Aquaculture described the mortality rate as "completely unprecedented," never experienced at such a rate or in such a short period.
• At least 55,000 tons of salmon were dumped at waste facilities in the past month.

Cause of Mortality

• The mass mortality was attributed to a strain of bacterial disease against which the salmon had not been vaccinated.
• The event primarily affected Huan Aquaculture and Tassal farms in the D'Entrecasteaux Channel.

Industry Perspective

• Luke Martin of Salmon Tasmania stated the mortality affected about 10% of the overall fish growing in the state.
• He acknowledged the event was perceived as major but emphasized its relative scale to the industry.
• He explained that the clumps on beaches were decayed fish releasing oils, stating it's not harmful to pets or people but is distressing.

Response and Cleanup Efforts

Company Actions

• Huan Aquaculture gave its fish antibiotics for almost 2 weeks in February to control the outbreak.
• They used an "automated mortality extraction system" to remove dead fish, pumping them onto a boat and taking them to shore.

Regulatory Scrutiny

• The EPA issued directions to Huan and Tassal to remove fish carcasses and waste from their pens.
• The EPA is investigating potential breaches of environmental licenses, waste regulations, and the Environmental Management Act.
• The EPA is aware of the community impact and is participating fully in the legal process.

Animal Welfare Concerns

Footage of Handling Practices

• Footage showed workers sealing live salmon into bins with dead fish, raising concerns about inhumane treatment.
• The footage showed fish "being left to thrash around to flop around and to suffocate to death."
• Huan Aquaculture claimed the footage was not reflective of their high standards.

RSPCA Certification and Investigation

• Huan Aquaculture is the only salmon company with RSPCA certification, indicating low-stress and well-managed environments.
• The RSPCA has suspended the certification while investigating the video.
• Biosecurity Tasmania has also commenced an animal welfare investigation.

Political and Public Reaction

Government Response

• A minister responsible for the salmon industry admitted to not having seen the video showing alleged animal welfare issues, citing "competing demands on one's time."
• The government stated it would rely on science and the chief Veterinary officer to prevent future mass mortality events.

Senator Jackie Lambie's Concerns

• Senator Jackie Lambie expressed concern about the state of Macquarie Harbour and advocated for deep-sea fish farming.

Environmental Concerns

• Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek is reviewing the approvals that allowed salmon farming to expand in Macquarie Harbour in 2012.
• Concerns were raised that the "clean green" label of Tasmania is at risk, affecting agriculture and other industries.

Conclusion

The mass mortality event in Tasmanian salmon farms has exposed significant issues related to disease management, environmental impact, and animal welfare. The incident has triggered regulatory investigations, public outrage, and political debate, raising questions about the sustainability and ethical practices of the salmon farming industry in Tasmania. The future of salmon farming in Tasmania hinges on addressing these concerns and ensuring responsible and transparent practices.