Tassal salmon farm. (Photo: Tassal)

Tassal ordered to destock a salmon farming centre

AUSTRALIA
Thursday, February 09, 2017, 02:00 (GMT + 9)

Tasmania's largest salmon producer, Tassal, must destock before the end of the month a farming centre installed in a concession at Macquarie Harbour near an area declared World Heritage.

Last November, the Tasmanian Environment Protection Authority (EPA) said conditions in the harbour had worsened with increased levels of bacteria known as beggiatoa and low levels of oxygen.

Last month, EPA reduced stocking limits from 20,000 tonnes to 14,000 to address deteriorating conditions in the harbour.

In a report made public today, the agency revealed that marine fauna for at least 500 metres around a Tassal salmon lease close to the World Heritage Area was dead, ABC News reported.

"That's why Tassal has been directed to de-stock that lease and they won't be able to re-stock it until it's recovered sufficiently and I'll be looking at the animals present before I allow them to put fish back in the water," EPA director Wes Ford said. 

The destocking order comes after Huon Aquaculture announced it was taking the Tasmanian Government to court for failing to protect the environment by allowing too many fish to be farmed in Macquarie Harbour.

The official said he stood by his decision to cap salmon tonnes at 14,000.

"You have to remember that I've come from a starting point where the original assessment model done by industry was for 29,500 tonnes with a biomass cap set last year at 21,000 tonnes," Ford stressed.

Related articles:

- Huon initiates legal actions against Tasmanian government
- Regulating entity recommends salmon biomass cut in Macquarie Harbour

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