Pollution

How is salmon farming damaging the environment?

• Algal blooms caused by high levels of nitrogen from fish faeces, and seabeds laid waste by faeces and excess feed that smothers life on the sea bottom.
• Fish hatcheries where the river water is fouled by pollutants and algae. This is particularly important for Hobart and other sites, where domestic fresh water supplies are located downstream from hatcheries. Around half of Tasmania’s hatcheries have yet to be replaced by fully self-contained RAS systems.
• Debris – including microplastics – constantly found in waterways and on shorelines.
• 24/7 noise carrying long distances over water, and bright lights at night in rural coastal communities.
• High fish pen densities means any diseases spread rapidly, and can transfer to wild populations.
• Atlantic salmon are not native to our waters. 2-3% of fish regularly escape from pens, plus occasional major escapes. Much more research is needed on the impact of escapes on wild fish.

More information to come soon. In the meantime, don’t hesitate to contact us.