Salmon farm seal deaths revealed in report

A report has revealed how many seals have been killed by the Tasmanian salmon industry over 18 months with one producer responsible for the vast majority of deaths. FULL REPORT >>

Tasmania’s salmon industry caused the death of 25 seals, exploded 15,250 seal bombs, and fired 275 beanbag bullets at seals over a span of 18 months.

The data was obtained by freelance journalist Bob Burton via a Right To Information application to the Department of Natural Resources and Environment.

The figures cover Tassal, Huon Aquaculture, and Petuna salmon farms over the period of January 2021 to June 2022.

The documents show Huon Aquaculture caused 20 out of the 25 reported seal deaths, with Tassal responsible for the remaining five.

The data does not describe how they were killed, however the Department said seal deaths could include “entanglement, vessel strike, other infrastructure interaction, deterrent use, sedation, and humane destruction.”

Tassal fired all 275 beanbag rounds at seals, with the practice not used at Huon Aquaculture or Petuna at all over the 18 month period.

Cracker bombs were the more common form of seal deterrent, with Huon Aquaculture exploding 10,644 during that period - about 19 per day.

Huon Aquaculture’s communications manager Pene Snashall said zero seal deaths have been attributed to the company’s use of crackers.

Ms Snashall said the Huon Aquaculture’s cracker use was higher than other companies because most of its production was in Storm Bay.

She said that area is characterised by deeper depths and higher energy waters, minimising the impact of crackers on the seabed and marine environment.

“Although Huon only uses the least invasive deterrent (crackers), interactions with wildlife are inevitable and we work very hard to find solutions to minimise these interactions evidenced by our $150 million investment on wildlife interaction mitigation over the past decade,” Ms Snashall said.

“Huon is committed to keeping our staff safe, our livestock protected and having no lasting impact to the environment in order to farm a healthy, nutritious, sustainable protein that has a low carbon footprint. “

Crackers bombs are used to scare off seals to prevent them from breaking into salmon pens and eating the produce.

Tasmanian Alliance for Marine Protection co-chair Sheenagh Neill said beanbag rounds and crackers were “barbaric and unacceptable”.

Neil the Seal at Clifton Beach Picture: Linda Higginson

“There is a clear contradiction in actions to protect seals like “Neil the seal,” who has a growing following around the world, whilst at the same time other seals are being killed by the salmon industry,” Ms Neill said.

“Neil the seal and the efforts of community to look after him are to be commended but where is the outrage from the public for the 25 seals that have been killed by approved deterrents in their own waterways?”

Neil the seal came to Clifton Beach in June during his moulting season and has become an internet celebrity.

The Department of Natural Resources and Environment said Neil has finished moulting and will likely soon return to the waters to go hunting.

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