‘Disrespect’: Salmon pens to be installed off the coast of Burnie

Fish farming infrastructure is set to be installed in the Bass Strait, in a move slammed as “disrespect” by independent MP Craig Garland.

Craig Garland slams Bass Strait fish farm trial

Fish farming infrastructure is set to be installed 12km off the coast of Burnie on Monday, in a move slammed as “disrespect” by independent member for Braddon Craig Garland.

The Blue Economy Cooperative Research Centre sent out an advisory to mariners on Friday, saying they will be installing “marine aquaculture infrastructure for the purposes of a research project” in the Bass Strait.

The trial is slated to run for an initial eight month period commencing on May 12.

Independent member for Braddon Craig Garland slammed the move saying the community were opposed to the expansion of fish farming in the Bass Strait.

“Despite the resounding no to fish farms in Bass Strait, yesterday, it was announced that the Blue Economy Research Centre is going to do it anyway,” Mr Garland said on Saturday.

“Talk about disrespect to the community!”

Mr Garland encouraged those opposed to attend a ‘meet the team’ session hosted by Blue Economy CRC in Burnie to voice their concerns.

“The core problems are the both levels of government who enabled and supported this on behalf of the salmon companies and BECRC senior management,” he said.

Blue Economy’s Bass Strait – Burnie – Aquaculture Trial and Research Area.

The Burnie Aquaculture Trial and Research Area is part of the Blue Economy CRCs proposed three-year research trial in the Bass Strait Blue Economy Zone to explore the potential of offshore aquaculture.

Blue Economy’s website claims the trial is an Australian first with the site characterised by open ocean, deeper waters, and stronger currents.

With plans to stock Tasmanian Atlantic salmon in mid July 2025, and kingfish in October 2025, Blue Economy said the trial will help “understand challenges and opportunities for sustainable ocean economic development in Australia”.

The trial has faced strong community opposition, with ongoing protests against “toxic fish farm expansion in Bass Strait”.

The Bob Brown Foundation opposed the Burnie trial over the risk of death and entanglement of the Shy Albatross, an endangered species under the EPBC act.

“The site survey showed two endangered Shy Albatross at the site. With hundreds of native seabirds dying in fish farms around the state, this incredible species is destined to suffer the same fate if big salmon gets its way again,” Antarctic and Marine campaigner at Bob Brown Foundation Alistair Allan said.

Originally published as ‘Disrespect’: Salmon pens to be installed off the coast of Burnie