February 8, 2021

Huon opposes competitor's expansion in Tasmania, Australia, due to biosecurity issues

 

 

Huon, the second-biggest salmon company in Tasmania, Australia, has strongly opposed a competitor's expansion into Storm Bay over biosecurity concerns, warning the move would impact the sustainability of other salmon producers, documents obtained by ABC reveal.

 

Tasmanian salmon companies Tassal, Huon Aquaculture and Petuna are expanding operations into Storm Bay, south of Hobart, initially to farm a combined total of 30,000 tonnes of salmon — but with the potential to ramp up to 80,000 tonnes.

 

Huon's lease is close to north Bruny Island, while Tassal's is on the other side of Storm Bay near Nubeena. Petuna's lease is more central, near Betsey Island.

 

Huon Aquaculture's representation to a planning panel assessing competitor Petuna's Storm Bay expansion plans - which was written in February 2018 and obtained under right to information laws - said Huon was "totally opposed to the Petuna proposal in Storm Bay … on a number of grounds".

 

It said the proposed distance between the companies was inadequate from a biosecurity perspective, pointing out concerns about the prevalence of pilchard orthomyxovirus (POMV) and amoebic gill disease in the area.

 

"In effect, the proposed Petuna lease would create a 'bridge' between all three companies' leases that would significantly and unacceptably increase biosecurity risk to all operators," the representation said.

 

"To add a third company to the south-east region without imposing strict 'best practice' biosecurity will threaten the sustainability of all three companies."

 

Huon also pointed out that it was not consulted by Petuna on the plans, and said that company could instead expand further into the Tamar River where they have existing operations.

 

The representation was made three years ago, but in a statement, Huon Aquaculture said its position remained unchanged, and "marine farm leases must be allocated on the basis of biosecurity first and foremost."

 

"Huon is on the public record that based on global experience with effective biosecurity there should be no more than two companies operating in Storm Bay. Otherwise the biosecurity of all companies is compromised. We continue to hold this view," the company said.

 

Petuna chief executive Ruben Alvarez said the company would ensure biosecurity management controls were met once the farm was operational.

 

"Petuna takes biosecurity extremely seriously, not only because it is in our best commercial interest to do so, but also because we are passionate about protecting the natural environments in which we operate to ensure we remain a sustainable industry for years to come," he said.

 

The latest documents came after the assessment panel received expert advice it would be impossible to separate Tasmania's three largest salmon farming companies enough to prevent the spread of major diseases.

 

The documents make it clear that the advice came from the Chief Veterinary Officer of the Department of Primary Industries.

 

The Chief Vet recommended there should be a minimum five-kilometre separation between aquaculture companies in Storm Bay to help protect against the spread of disease. However the panel later settled on a distance of four-kilometres due to the "spatial constraints" of Storm Bay.

 

Primary Industries Minister Guy Barnett said the Storm Bay plans included controls to allow for "contemporary and future" biosecurity arrangements to be imposed.

 

The minister previously confirmed there is no government-endorsed biosecurity plan for aquaculture in the area.

 

- ABC