State Government accepts review panel’s Petuna Storm Bay expansion advice

A marine farming panel has approved a plan for fish farming expansion in Storm Bay, despite only five of the nine panel members positions taken.

Tasmanian salmon farmer Petuna has joined its competitors, with a review panel recommending approval of its Storm Bay expansion proposal.

The State Government has accepted the independent Marine Farming Planning Review Panel’s advice to allow Petuna to progress a new Storm Bay North Marine Farming Development Plan.

The plan permits a maximum leasable area of 273ha. The proposed operation is set to become the most remote offshore marine farm in Tasmania.

It is forecast to create 37 full-time positions and 130 indirect full-time positions within the local community and aquaculture service industry.

The Tasmanian Alliance for Marine Protection and its affiliated groups held an information session at the Hobart Town Hall to express widespread concerns about the expansion of industrial fish farming into Storm Bay. (L-R) Sheenagh Neil, Sailor, Mark Bishop, Chair of TAMP, Rebecca Howarth of Tasman Peninsula, Christine Coaghanour, retired marine scientist. Picture: MATT THOMPSON

Last October, the State Government approved four 45ha Tassal leases and a 230ha Huon Aquaculture lease in Storm Bay.

Petuna will need to apply for a Marine Farming Lease, followed by a Marine Farming Licence and then an environmental licence from the Environment Protection Authority.

If granted, the new lease would be located in central north Storm​ Bay, about 5km southeast of Betsey Island.

Primary Industries Minister Guy Barnett said such an expansion in Storm Bay was sustainable and appropriate if responsibly managed.

“The Hodgman Liberal Government supports responsible and sustainable growth in the salmon industry, providing thousands of jobs, many of which are in regional areas,” he said.

MORE OF TODAY’S NEWS

INFANT HOSPITALISED WITH MENINGOCOCCAL

FULL DARK MOFO 2019 PROGRAM REVEALED

REVEALED: FERRIES AND SELF-DRIVING VEHICLES PART OF RACT VISION

ASSANGE KICKED OUT OF EMBASSY, ARRESTED

RETIRING MLC JIM WILKINSON PRAISED FOR WISDOM AND INTEGRITY

WOMAN JAILED FOR ROLE IN BODY PARTS MURDER

But Greens environment spokeswoman Rosalie Woodruff labelled the minister’s approval of the expansion as “completely compromised”.

“The Marine Farming Review Panel’s process for making this recommendation is flawed and wholly inadequate,” she said.

“Only five of the nine panel members were appointed at the time the decision was made because of the Liberals’ determined mismanagement of the salmon farming industry.”

Last month, federal Greens leader Richard Di Natale joined about 150 protesters against fish farm expansion in Storm Bay at Hobart Town Hall.

[e-mail]