May 30, 2012

 

Australia's largest salmon farm at Tasmania

 

 

Australia's Minister for Primary Industries and Water, Bryan Green, has approved the expansion of marine farming leases for Tasmania's key salmon producers; a move which will lead to increased production and job creation.

 

"Tasmania's salmon industry has been a great success story and the expansion will be a huge boost to the West Coast and the broader Tasmanian economy," Green said. "This is a vote of confidence in the future of our aquaculture industry and Tasmania's unique brand values."

 

The sector's growth would inject more than AUD88 million (US$86.7 million) into the regional economy in the first five years and generate 100 jobs during the construction phase, as well as another 160 production and processing jobs after the expansion of the farming areas.

 

Tassal, Petuna and Huon Aquaculture can now enlarge their farming area from 5.5 to more than nine square per kilometres, making this the country's largest fish farming site, ABC reports.

 

Green recounted that in the past five years, the value of salmon production rose by AUD250 million (US$46.2 million), by almost AUD1 million (US$984,890) a week. It produced over 30,000 tonnes of fish in 2011 and employs more than 1000 people.

 

According to the minister, the environmental assessment conducted for the expansion is the most extensive ever done in Tasmania for a marine farming development. He said the key to the project is that the venture is "sustainable for the long-term."

 

After an expert panel examined the proposal and recommended an amendment to the Macquarie Harbour Marine Farming Development plan, Green said he approved it. The amended plan was then sent to the Commonwealth for consideration under the Environmental Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act.

 

The farming area would see an increase to 926 hectares, or just over 1%, occupying 3.3% of the harbour, Green said.

 

He noted that an expert reference group will provide advice on future monitoring and management of the aquaculture operations while focusing strongly on sustainability.

 

"[This] gives great confidence in the future of the industry," Green said.

 

But environmental groups argue that causes for concern remain, such as insufficient data about the impact on rare species including the maugean skate, and the farm pens' proximity to the Gordon River World Heritage area, according to reports.

 

"Further critical information was sought from the companies regarding nutrient loads, movement of water in the harbour and how these will impact on the unique marine life found there," the Tasmanian Aquaculture Reform Alliance's Christine Materia said.

 

She noted that this information was not made available to the public for independent scientific assessment.