Review panel approves Storm Bay salmon expansion

UPDATED: SALMON farming is set to expand in Storm Bay after a review recommended the approval of two marine farm planning proposals.

A Huon Aquaculture offshore sea pen in Storm Bay. Huon and Tassal could soon expand their operations in the Bay.

SALMON farming is set to expand in Storm Bay after a review recommended the approval of two marine farm planning proposals.

Huon Aquaculture and Tassal had both applied to amend their marine farming development Plans in the bay.

Premier Will Hodgman, the acting Primary Industries and Water Minister, said the Marine Farming Planning Review Panel had recommended to allow the expansion after it had considered environmental impact statements, public submissions, representations and public hearings.

Both companies will now apply for marine farming leases and then marine farming ­licences.

Mr Hodgman said Huon and Tassal would need to demonstrate they can meet requirements in relation to engineering, emergency management and biosecurity before obtaining the marine farming licences.

He said the expansion was expected to create 180 jobs.

“This signals a new frontier for salmon aquaculture, enabling Tasmanian farmers to expand responsibly into some of the highest energy, most exposed marine farming conditions in the world,” Mr Hodgman said.

“Expansion into these waters will offer favourable growing conditions and provide an opportunity for further innovation in pen design and gear technology.”

Huon’s proposal is for farming leases off North Bruny Island while Tassal’s proposal sits off the west coast of the Tasman Peninsula.

Tassal chief executive Mark Ryan said the planning proposal would provide the company with four 45ha leases.

“The lease is located in some of the most exposed, highest energy leases ever farmed in the world, with the capacity to produce in total between 8000 and 16,000 tonnes per annum,” he said.

Huon chief executive Peter Bender said their 230ha preferred lease site was east of Yellow Bluff, 1.5km from the Bruny Island shore.

“We have worked for many years to secure a new farming zone in Storm Bay which will allow us to meet our long-term vision of sustainably expanding offshore,” he said.

An application from Petuna in relation to its proposed Storm Bay farming operation is still subject to the statutory approval process.

More information about the lease sites is available at dpipwe.tas.gov.au