Salmon farm in Macquarie Harbour. (Photo: Tassal)

Regulating entity recommends salmon biomass cut in Macquarie Harbour

AUSTRALIA
Thursday, December 01, 2016, 01:10 (GMT + 9)

Tasmania's Environment Protection Authority (EPA) recommends reducing the set salmon biomass limit in Macquarie Harbour following an assessment of the most recently available scientific data. This proposal has stirred opposing views from lease holders operating in the zone.

EPA Director Wes Ford told salmon lease holders that the proposed restriction is due to the current dissolved oxygen levels in the deeper waters of the region and the extent of the presence of Beggiatoa species in the harbour over the past six months.

According to Ford, the levels of dissolved oxygen in the deeper waters are likely to be contributing to the distribution of Beggiatoa and a change to the in-fauna ecology in the vicinity of the leases.

“In the last few weeks I have received the findings of scientific information from the Institute of Marine and Antarctic Studies (IMAS) and have reviewed this information on a lease-by-lease basis in my considerations of the proposed biomass limit,” EPA director said.

Ford explained that as a result, he determined that the biomass needs to be lowered and a new limit needs to be set, considering the objectives of the Marine Farming Planning Act 1995 and the Resources Management Planning System of Tasmania.

“My proposed decision takes into account the environmental, social and economic impacts associated with setting a sustainable management system for the harbour,” the director pointed out.

He stressed that it is important to remember that this is a limit, not a target, and that there are also mechanisms in place to further reduce the limit if conditions in the harbour deteriorate into the future.

The three producers operating in Macquarie Harbour — Tassal, Huon Aquaculture and Petuna — have been given four weeks to respond and provide planning strategies in response to the new limit.

Tasmania's second largest salmon producer Huon Aquaculture has condemned the proposal, labelling it "window dressing" and "spin", ABC reported.

The firm's executive director Frances Bender said Ford's proposed cut was “a sham” and requested Federal Government's intervention.

"The biomass is currently 14,000 tonnes, so effectively he's [Ford] not taking any back," she said and called on the Federal Government to intervene.

"This [State] Government and this regulator have failed our business, failed our industry and failed the people of Tasmania," she said, adding that they do not have confidence in this regulator or the Government to appropriately regulate Macquarie Harbour.

On the other hand, Tassal, the biggest producer with 40 per cent of the market, released a statement to say it would abide by the EPA's decision.

"Though we note that the determination is a draft, I want to reassure the local community and our employees that the long-term sustainability of Macquarie Harbour continues to be our first priority," Tassal chief executive Mark Ryan said.

In this regard, State Environment Minister Jeremy Rockliff said ensuring the industry was environmentally sustainable was key to its ongoing success.

"People in Tasmania can have greater confidence that their salmon industry, employing 5,200 people, can grow sustainably. We trust the science and the independent EPA to make those decision necessary to ensure the environment can cater for the salmon industry," Rockliff concluded.

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