Huon Aquaculture bidders beware: none will win Richard Flanagan over

Richard Flanagan has warned the bidders for the $550m Huon Aquaculture takeover that plans to make the salmon farming company more ecologically friendly will not be sufficient to win his support.

Writer Richard Flanagan. Picture: Zak Simmonds

Richard Flanagan has warned the bidders involved in the $550m takeover proposal for Huon Aquaculture that their plans to make the salmon farming company more ecologically friendly will not be sufficient to win his support.

Flanagan, a high-profile novelist who has campaigned against the industry, says Huon’s environmental problems are the same as with any sea-based salmon farming.

“Any reforms are finally just a filter tip on a toxic cigarette,” Flanagan said. “In this regard none of the three possible buyers of Huon represents any significant change for the better … Sadly, beyond promises to exit Macquarie Harbour, the lack of detail in Dr (Andrew) Forrest’s statements suggest little more than the continuation of Huon’s present destructive practices in existing and deeper water sites.”

JBS has already made a takeover bid for Huon, while Dr Forrest is a major shareholder. Canadian aquaculture firm Cooke has also confirmed interest in the company.