Stacey Ingram says salmon debris on beach may make her leave Tasmania

A mariner who came to Tasmania from Queensland says the discovery of salmon debris on her favourite beach has disrupted her daily life. Read why.

Imaged supplied of the Bob Brown Foundation showing fish matter washed up on Bruny Island

For Stacey Ingram swimming in the ocean and walking her dogs on the beach almost every day is her saviour.

But since large chunks of salmon material washed up at Randalls Bay she is wondering if she wants to stay in Tasmania.

“I enjoy the exercise and peaceful, pristine environment and I know it to be an important part of maintaining my physical and mental health,” Ms Ingram says.

“When we visited Randall’s Bay on March 10 I was horrified to see the salmon detritus strewn along the entire length of the beach.

“My dogs were immediately drawn to the fishy odour and started to eat it and roll in it.

“I was very concerned that it would make them sick. Both dogs had globs of congealed fish fat mashed into their fur.

“The consistency was very thick and waxy and I was unable to cut the grease at all with shampoo or even concentrated dish detergent.

“I scraped the candle wax like scum from their fur as best I could and days later, the remnants were still rubbing off in my car, on my furniture and on to me. I can’t escape it.

“The though crossed my mind more than once, that if we can’t safely use our local beaches, I don’t want to live here anymore.”

Stacey Ingram with her dogs and who no longer wants to swim at Randalls Bay beach after salmon debris washed ashore. Picture: supplied

A professional mariner, and now artist Ms Ingram, who has worked overseas and interstate, moved to Nicholls Rivulet in the Huon Valley 10 years ago from Northern Queensland.

“It’s safe to say that I have salt water running through my veins.

“I’m also the type of person to weigh the balance of employment, local economy and food production against environmental concerns.

“I wouldn’t consider myself an environmental activist, more a concerned citizen.

“I’ve snorkelled in Channel waters and seen first-hand the algal slime created by nutrient overload in the water.

“The latest incident, of rotting tissue and congealed salmon fat strewn across my local beaches, has well and truly toppled my critical thinking on the issue.

“Fortunately the beach at Randalls has since been cleaned but the question remains, will it happen again?”

Stacey Ingram who no longer wants to swim at Randalls Bay beach after salmon debris washed ashore. Picture: supplied

Salmon Tasmania CEO Luke Martin said: “Again, we sincerely apologise.

“We acknowledge it’s not good enough and the industry is undertaking a comprehensive review of the whole indecent, as is the government and regulators.”

Mr Martin said the EPA and public health advice was there was no risk to people’s health from the salmon material washed up on the beaches.