NOFF calls for inquiry into mass die-offs
NOFF is calling for an inquiry into industry denials and government delays in identifying and publicising the causes of mass salmon die-offs and widespread pollution in south east Tasmania. In February 2025 smelly oily lumps of rotting salmon flesh began polluting Verona Sands and Bruny Island, reluctantly identified after industry denials and double speak, and government delays, as coming from mass die-offs from Riksettia bacteria. Subsequent investigations revealed issues around waste disposal, animal handling and the question of whether diseased fish are sent for processing to market. (more information here)
The petition, to the Parliament of Tasmania, calls for a parliamentary enquiry into the causes, response and effects of the mass salmon mortality event that has occurred throughout February and March of 2025 in southeast Tasmania.
Specifically, the petition asks that the inquiry
- Examine the cause of the mortality event, including the source of the RLO in Okehampton Bay, and its subsequent transmission to different biosecurity areas.
- Understand how the companies involved contributed to the event through their actions.
- Examine the response of government agencies and departments.
- Make recommendations that will improve responses from government agencies and departments.
- Examine animal welfare, biosecurity, license conditions, controlled waste disposal, public communication response, etc.
- Examine
how the EPA pollution incident response was handled, inter-department
and industry communications, which ultimately led to beachgoers not
being informed
appropriately enough to be able to make informed choices. - Examine why large amounts of antibiotic continued to be administered for a further 10 days to an infected pen after mass mortality was evident, and the antibiotic subsequently was not taken up and polluted the surrounding waterway.
- Examine why the State ministers for the Environment, Health and fisheries were silent on the issue despite public calls for information.
If you are a Tasmanian resident or citizen, you can sign the petition by following this link. Please do it NOW!
We will be adding more information as it comes to hand - watch this space!