Legal challenge launched over Australian salmon farming law reforms.
Environmental campaigners in Australia have launched a Federal Court challenge to recent legislative reforms aimed at safeguarding the future of salmon farming in Tasmania’s Macquarie Harbour.
As reported by Inkl on 31 March, the Bob Brown Foundation has filed legal action against the Australian government following the passage of amendments to federal environmental law last week. The reforms, backed by both the Labor government and the opposition coalition, limit the ability to revisit environmental approvals for long-standing industrial activities — including fish farming operations that have been underway for more than five years.
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The new law was introduced in response to a 2023 legal challenge from green groups seeking to halt salmon farming in Macquarie Harbour, home to the endangered Maugean skate. Scientific advisers had recommended reducing or removing aquaculture operations to improve water quality in the remote west coast waterway.
The foundation argues the reforms were politically motivated, aimed at neutralising salmon farming as a campaign issue ahead of upcoming federal elections, particularly in key Tasmanian seats. “This campaign will keep going until those fish farms are out of Macquarie Harbour,” said former Greens leader Bob Brown, according to Inkl.
Foundation campaigner Alistair Allan claimed that salmon farming in the harbour has changed substantially in the past five years, citing shifts in production methods, company structures, and joint ventures. The legal filing also seeks to compel the environment minister to formally rule on the status of current fish farming operations in the area.
Industry body Salmon Tasmania declined to comment on the court proceedings, but CEO Luke Martin said last week the reforms brought needed certainty to workers and families. “We can only have faith the parliament has passed laws that will stand up to any test,” he said.
The industry maintains that the Maugean skate population has stabilised and points to ongoing captive breeding programmes and improvements in harbour health. No hearing date for the case has been announced.
