Native birds shot, seals dead: Minister reveals Tasmanian salmon industry’s deadly wildlife impact

The controversial use of deterrents to keep animals away from salmon pens was discussed during a parliamentary committee. It revealed how many animals were killed last year.

Salmon pens at Macquarie Harbour, Strahan, West Coast of Tasmania Picture: MATHEW FARRELL

Fish farm giant Tassal shot dead at least 50 native cormorants last year across its lease operations, while the Tasmanian salmon industry detonated more than 3000 seal “crackers” during the same period, a parliamentary committee has heard.

Minister for Water and Primary Industries, Jane Howlett, told a budget estimates hearing that the salmon industry has also fired 172 bean bags at seals in the 2023/24 financial year, while nine seals died “from interactions with marine farming operations”.

Sealife experience tourism venture at Pirates Bay, Eaglehawk Neck cormorants perched on the Hippolyte Rocks

A seal patrols the perimeter of a salmon farm in northern Tasmania.

“I’m advised that there were three property protection permits issued for cormorants in 2023-24, and two were for the Tassal company,” Ms Howlett said.

“NRE Tas has recently returned information for one of these [permits] issued for Great Cormorants.

“The quota was 50, and they shot 50.

“The second permit was then issued with a quota for 30, but no returns have been received on this one to date.”

Minister for Racing Jane Howlett. Budget Estimates 2024. Picture: Nikki Davis-Jones

Ms Howlett said marine farm operators in Tasmania were required to submit a monthly summary report for each lease, detailing wildlife mortalities, injuries, entanglements, or entrapments.

“This includes wildlife netting, marine farming infrastructure … and a range of strict controls are in place around the use of seal deterrent devices, which is outlined in the seal management framework.”

Previously, the industry’s use of deterrent to keep animals away from salmon pets has drawn the ire of environmental groups around the state.