Huon Aquaculture announces antibiotic use in D’Entrecasteaux Channel

14/02/2025

NOFF has denounced Huon Aquaculture's latest use of antibiotics in the D'Entrecasteaux Channel, describing the practice as unacceptable and accusing the company of falling short of contemporary international standards, according to a report in the Hobart Mercury (paywalled).

Huon has announced that it was notifying local fishers of an antibiotic treatment undertaken at its Zuidpool lease near Bruny Island. But NOFF spokeswoman Jessica Coughlan said the company was putting the health of the wider Tasmania marine environment at risk.

"Just last year antibiotics were found in wild fish near salmon farms at levels nearly five times the allowable limit under Australian law," Ms Coughlan said. "Given that the Channel is such a popular recreational fishing area, the administration of antibiotics into the marine environment is not acceptable.
"How many tonnes of antibiotics are being used directly in the marine environment, and how many pens are being treated? Will there be sign-posting at all boat ramps and fishing spots within swimming distance of wildfish from the lease," Ms Coughlan asked.

While the company insisted its product remained safe to eat, with mandated time frames between the treatment and harvesting of fish, Ms Coughlan said the risks antibiotics posed to public health were unacceptably high.

"Antibiotic resistance has been declared by the World Health Organisation to be one of the top 10 killers by 2050."