Get the facts
Second only to warming oceans, foreign-owned Atlantic salmon companies pose the greatest threat to Tasmania's marine heritage.
Animal welfare
The industrial salmon industry is responsible for the mistreatment of marine wildlife, seabirds, seals and dolphins, and salmon fish stock, through cruel production methods, and the ways they try to manage local wildlife and control disease.
Pollution (environment, marine, noise and light)
Open net pens in shallow waterways cause algal blooms which smother the seabed. Inland hatcheries pollute domestic water supplies. Pens contribute marine debris and microplastics. Industrial noise and lights 24/7 disturb local communities.
Food quality and health
Industrially-farmed Atlantic salmon is marketed as a "super food", but Ethoxyquin is added to fish feed, antibiotics manage disease in high-density pens, the fish have high levels of omega 6 fatty acids, and Astaxanthin colours the salmon flesh orange.
Alternatives to industrially farmed salmon
There are alternatives: NOFF supports industrial salmon farming if it is on land and environmentally sustainable. 41 Degrees South is the only boutique operation we know of, the Good Food Guide lists other fish to try, and other sources are available.
Industrial salmon farming methods and operations
Our industry has not changed much for 30 years, and faces many challenges. Overseas aquaculture is moving to self-contained land facilities, to eliminate pollution, reduce stress and disease and manage the impacts of ocean warming.
Standards, regulation and transparency
The industry has ongoing issues: environmental, noise and light pollution, marine debris, microplastics, fish stock mortalities, wildlife cruelty, and mass escapes. Either the standards are weak, or they are poorly policed - or both. And transparency?
Employment and reputation
Employment is important in regional Tasmania, but in fact, fish farms employ only around 1% of our workforce, ever lessened by increasing automation. Tourism and hospitality is more important. Ocean warming is a threat urgently needing plans.
Financial returns to community and governments
Comparatively, fish farmers pay little to use our waterways or fresh water, or for our loss of amenity. They pay very little tax, and now all three are 100% overseas owned, all profits go overseas and there is even less transparency in reporting.
