Tasmania bans fish farms on east and north coasts

Tasmania plans to ban fish farming on its entire east coast, under a new industry plan, reports ABC news.

The measures were published in a draft salmon industry growth plan that bans the development of new fish farms along the east coast and large parts of the north coast of Tasmania, which lies south of the Australian mainland.

An exception will be made for Tassal’s salmon farm at Okehampton Bay, on the east coast, Tasmania’s primary industries minister Jeremy Rockliff told the Australian newssite.

“It is important to note that Tassal is operating under a fish farm licence that already existed at Okehampton Bay,” he said. “Tassal’s proposal to operate 28 pens in the bay has already been approved.”

Expansion

The plan also provides alternatives for the salmon famers: it includes provision for a new expansion zone for the salmon industry in the far northwest, the east side of Flinders Island and the Furneaux Group, and further areas at the outer reaches of Storm Bay and the D’Entrecasteaux Channel. The areas were chosen together with the industry.

Growing worth

According to primary industries minister Jeremy Rockliff there was an urgent need for an industry blueprint, because of the growth of the Tasmanian salmon industry. With its value of AUD 730m (€494m) the industry is now equal to the combined worth of the state’s beef and dairy industries.

“The Government recognizes it’s time to refresh our approach including our regulatory system to take the industry to the next level,” Rockliff said.

 

Read also: Controversy arround Tasmanian fish farm

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