A lack of environmental monitoring and regulation in the state’s fish farming areas would be of no benefit to anyone, Primary Industries Minister Jeremy Rockliff says.
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The state’s fish farming industry is in hot water after Huon Aquaculture’s co-founder Frances Bender spoke out about the condition of salmon farms in Macquarie Harbor, on the state’s West Coast.
Ms Bender told ABC’s Four Corners program the state government had been warned fish stocks in the region needed to be scaled back, but an increase in the number of fish allowed in the harbour had still gone ahead.
Primary Industries Minister Jeremy Rockliff said the decision to increase the number of salmon had been based on “sound science”, developed at arm’s length from government.
Mr Rockliff said he provided “plenty of information” to the Four Corners team and environmental management of the harbour was a matter for the Environment Protection Agency.
“The regulatory environment is science based- it’s an adaptive management regime and it is regulated by the EPA,” Mr Rockliff said.
“It is absolutely in the best interest of everyone to have a robust regulatory regime in order to protect the integrity of the brand and the jobs in the industry.”
On Monday, Four Corners revealed that Huon Aquaculture briefed the state government on the need to reduce fish stocks in Macquarie Harbour three times this year.
Greens environment spokeswoman Rosalie Woodruff said the government had “rolled out the red carpet” for the salmon industry and had ignored concerns.
“[Mr Rockliff] can’t claim he didn’t know about the dire situation in Macquarie Harbour,” Ms Woodruff said.
“[His] weakness is damaging the unique environment of [the] Harbour, the companies that farm there and consumer confidence in Tasmanian farmed salmon.”
Opposition spokeswoman for Primary Industries Rebecca White said Labor backed the science that underpinned the salmon industry, however, the government must be willing to adapt to changing conditions.
Brand Tasmania Council board chairman Michael Grainger said the Four Corners program would not damage the state’s reputation for high-quality produce.
“[the council] stands by the sustainable, appropriately managed production of salmon,” Mr Grainger said.
