Huon Aquaculture named Australia’s first RSPCA-approved salmon farmer

HUON Aquaculture’s farming practices have been given the tick of approval by Australia’s leading animal welfare group.

Huon Aquaculture executive director Frances Bender, left, and RSPCA Australia chief executive Heather Neil. Picture: MATT THOMPSON

HUON Aquaculture’s farming practices have been given the tick of approval by Australia’s leading animal welfare group, but it says work needs to be done at Macquarie Harbour.

The Tasmanian salmon-farming business has been declared the first seafood producer in the country to meet RSPCA’s Approved Farming Scheme.

The standards aim to ensure that fish are held in water of good quality with sufficient oxygen and food and handled in a manner to reduces stress.

In the coming months, all Huon fish grown in the state’s south will be branded with an “RSPCA approved farming” logo but salmon from Macquarie Harbour will not be part of the roll out as it does not yet meet welfare standards.

The decision to exclude stock from the West Coast comes just weeks after Huon’s case against the Federal Environment Minister and competitors Tassal and Petuna over fish numbers in Macquarie Harbour was dismissed by the Federal Court.

“It is no secret that we have concerns over the health of Macquarie Harbour, as does the RSPCA,” Huon Aquaculture executive director Frances Bender said.

“We want to stay there because it’s a sustainable place to grow salmon and an important region for employment.

“We believe in the not too distant future, the RSPCA will be able to certify the fish that are in Macquarie Harbour.”

RSPCA Australia chief executive Heather Neil speaking with the media at Willie's Apple Shed, Grove. Picture: MATT THOMPSON

A licensing fee covers the costs of the ongoing audits, management and promotion of RSPCA Approval.

RSPCA Australia chief executive Heather Neil said the welfare of farmed fish was of a growing interest to Australians.

“Scientific research has found that fish are capable of suffering, feeling pain, anxiety and fear,” she said.

“Achieving this accreditation will enable consumers to purchase salmon that has been grown with a strong focus on animal welfare.”

A Tassal spokeswoman yesterday said that business was also working towards gaining certification through the RSPCA’s Approved Farming Scheme

A Petuna Seafoods spokeswoman said it was happy with current approvals that included Best Aquaculture Practices and Aquaculture Stewardship Council.

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