Massive salmon deaths occurring statewide - RSPCA criticised

Bob Brown Foundation has captured horrific images and video of thousands of dead farmed salmon being pumped out of their factory farm cages at a Tassal owned fish farm lease called Creeses Mistake, on the Tasman Peninsula. The footage comes on the heels of mass deaths being reported all around the state only weeks ago (see below).

Bob Brown Foundation is calling on Tassal and Salmon Tasmania to disclose how many tens of thousands of fish have been dying.

"These thousands of farmed salmon are dying because the foreign-owned salmon giants could not care less if they die from disease, water temperatures and overstocking. It's a disgrace," said Alistair Allan, Marine Campaigner at the Bob Brown Foundation.

"We received credible information of the bottoms of pens having dead salmon covering the whole cage a foot thick, and we have now seen thousands of dead salmon being pumped out," said Alistair Allan.

"Every summer, hundreds of thousands of factory farmed salmon die in these crammed pens. Every summer the salmon industry covers this up and refuses to tell the public how many salmon die because they know the public would be outraged. These cover ups must end," said Alistair Allan.

"As much as 15% to 20% of all farmed salmon die as part of this environmentally and morally bankrupt industry. The closest number of animal deaths in Australian farms I could find was battery cage chickens at 4%. The salmon industry is out of control."

"This is an industry wide issue and unbelievably the RSPCA still thinks it's appropriate to certify Tasmanian salmon. They should drop this certification immediately given their mandate to prevent cruelty to animals," concluded Alistair Allan.

Earlier - 29 January 2025

Salmon farms are experiencing massive mortalities across the state this summer, according to Burnie News Media outlet 7SDFM. "It is astonishing that all three companies can be faced with the natural consequences of the harmful industrialisation of Tasmanian waterways and yet claim business as usual" said NOFF Campaigner Jess Coughlan.

Worldwide, evidence shows increased mortalities right across the industry, and Tasmania is no exception (BBC report).

"Continuing to expand an industry when the natural elements are against it is not sustainable management, it is profiteering at its worst - where the expense is animal welfare and environmental degradation" continued Ms Coughlan. "When animals are dying in massive numbers before harvest, consumers have every right to ask if they are consuming sick fish"

"Mass deaths in any livestock operation are a cause for concern, and the public should have the right to access exactly how many fish are dying in our public waterways, and exactly what is causing it. This would not be tolerated in cattle, sheep or pig farming without a serious inquiry. This should not be considered business as usual. We are well beyond that point."

All comments attributed to Jessica Coughlan, Campaigner Neighbours of Fish Farming.  noff7112@gmail.com, 0431684741