A pro-industry campaign has been launched to counteract opposition against expansion of salmon farms in Tasmanian waters.
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The campaign Tassie Salmon: Our Jobs, Our Future, launched by the Australian Workers’ Union, has received support from federal Opposition Leader Bill Shorten and the state’s two major parties.
A rally of 150 salmon industry workers and family members gathered on Parliament House lawns on Thursday to hear those employed in aquaculture speak of its importance to regional communities.
The rally was in reaction to a campaign, Let’s Grow Tasmania’s Future, against Tassal’s proposal to farm 800,000 salmon at Okehampton Bay.
Australian Workers Union state secretary Ian Wakefield described the campaign as a fight for the industry, jobs, and regional communities.
Huon Aquaculture worker Chris Swards said when the forestry industry hit a downturn several years ago, many redundant forestry workers in the Huon Valley found employment within the salmon sector.
“We were told that once the forest industry was shut down, the salmon industry would be the next target (for environmentalists),” he said.
Huon Valley farmer Tony Dikkenberg said not only did the industry employ 5000 people directly but supported workers in other areas, like contracted employees and hospitality workers.
“It shouldn’t be a choice between industry and jobs versus the environment – there can be a combination of the two,” he said.
Bernice Bott has worked for Tassal and Huon Aquaculture with five family members employed with her in the industry.
“I have lived and worked all my life in the Huon,” she said.
“The thought that Dover and Geeveston could become ghost towns breaks my heart.
“I never want to say goodbye to my children because there are no jobs there for them.”
The rally in support of the salmon industry came a day after the Environmental Protection Authority placed a 14,000-tonne cap on salmon in Macquarie Harbour until April.
Environment Tasmania strategy director Laura Kelly said the group was pleased to see the AWU taking part in the industry debate and recognise that industry growth needed to be sustainable.