Tasmanian politicians back salmon farming

BOTH of Tasmania’s biggest parties have backed the state’s salmon farmers in the wake of a TV report.

THE State Government has rallied behind the Tasmanian aquaculture industry in the wake of a documentary on the growing concerns about the environmental impact of fish farms.

The ABC’s Four Corners program that aired on Monday night detailed the concerns of Huon Aquaculture co-founder Frances Bender, who said she believed the industry could be heading for catastrophe in Macquarie Harbour.

Concerns from Ms Bender, as well as environmentalists, scientists and locals on the East Coast were largely aimed at Tassal.

Tassal shares closed yesterday at $3.76, down 9 cents or 2.34 per cent with 1.1 million shares traded.

Huon Aquaculture shares were up 17 cents to $3.80.

Tassal managing director and chief executive officer Mark Ryan said he was disappointed the program had not properly considered the “relevant science”.

“Four Corners relied on a single, competitor-directed research study to draw generalisations about Tassal’s and wider operations in Macquarie Harbour,” Mr Ryan said in a statement.

Tassal CEO Mark Ryan

Primary Industries Minister Jeremy Rockliff, who declined to be interviewed for the Four Corners program, reiterated the Government’s “total support for the salmon industry”.

Mr Rockliff rejected suggestions regulation of the industry should be strengthened.

“We recently changed the regulatory system so that the independent Environment Protection Agency now regulates the industry, including the stocking cap in Macquarie Harbour,” he said.

“We have also introduced tougher penalties to any companies who commit offences under the new regime.”

Shadow Primary Industries Minister Rebecca White said the aquaculture industry was vital for regional employment.

Ms White said the State Government must work with the industry to reassure the community that fish farming was sustainable.

“What is clear from recent attention on the salmon industry is that the community needs access to better information about the science underpinning the industry so they can share our confidence,” Ms White said.

Greens environment spokeswoman Rosalie Woodruff said the Four Corners program strengthened the case that the State Government was “wilfully pushing industry expansion” at the cost of long-term jobs and the marine environment.

Dr Woodruff said it was a conflict of interest for the Government to be both a promoter and a regulator of aquaculture.

Originally published as Tasmanian politicians back salmon farming