The Tasmanian Government has set new restrictions on fish farm expansion beyond Okehampton Bay on the Australian state’s east coast.
These restrictions are part of a sustainable industry growth plan for the sector, released by Primary Industries Minister Jeremy Rockliff, ABC reported.
Although the move means 99 per cent of the Mercury Passage area will remain untouched by salmon farming, it will not impact on Tassal’s plans to move into Okehampton Bay.
Minister Rockliff explained that it was so because Tassal’s proposal to operate 28 pens in the bay had already been approved.
“It is also important to note that Tassal is operating under a fish farm licence that already existed at Okehampton Bay,” he said.
Tassal had won approval for the move in February, with an independent review panel rejecting arguments the water in the bay was too hot and too shallow for fish farming.
The expansion restriction comes after months of contention surrounding Tasmania’s salmon industry after significant environmental damage, and regulation breaches were discovered at Macquarie Harbour on the state’s east coast.
The Environment Protection Authority (EPA) has reduced the overall cap on salmon production in the area from 14,000 to 12,000 tonnes until June 2018, but companies can exceed the new limit if an approved waste collection system is installed under fish cages.
On the other hand, the Mercury Passage move has offered concern to environmentalists, who questioned the usefulness of the ban, calling it cosmetic.
Environment Tasmania strategy director Laura Kelly criticised the fact that the Government had banned salmon farming on the East Coast without banning the only salmon farm planned for the area.
Meanwhile, Tassal has referred the Okehampton Bay development to the Federal environment department for consideration under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act, but has said it does not believe the salmon farm would have a significant impact on the environment.
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