A leading advocacy body has joined the Tasmanian Greens in demanding further action from the state government in wake of the uncovering of Tassal's treatment of seals.
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Earlier this week, Environment Tasmania had a Right to Information request released about Tassal's treatment of seals, which they believe shows "severe animal welfare abuse".
Environment Tasmania member Jilly Middleton said in light of the RTI information, the state government had to intervene.
"The current situation is indicative of a long-term dynamic between government and industry which allows Australia's biggest fishery to get away with writing its own regulations," she said.
"The government monitoring of seal death and injury is currently minimal and inaccurate and it allows for under-reporting.
"[Tassal] are currently trusted to self-report despite ongoing, persistent scandals."
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Speaking about the released documents, Tasmania Greens Environment spokesperson Rosalie Woodruff described it as difficult viewing.
"It's clear many animals have been shot in the face and have died, been blinded or injured, and euthanised. These are native animals, supposedly protected under Tasmanian law," she said.
Ms Woodruff questioned the lack of action from the state government which has continued to monitor the situation.
"Minister Barnett should halt the use of seal deterrents until an investigation of animal welfare impacts is conducted. The Liberals can't keep ignoring this cruelty," she said
Primary Industries and Water Minister Guy Barnett reiterated the state government's stance that they would continue to monitor this situation.
"It is very important that the seal management framework is implemented and followed," he said.
"Any reasons why that is not followed should and would be investigated.
"This is an important issue and we'll be monitoring it very carefully."
Under the seal management framework noted by Mr Barnett, a seal deterrent devices such as scare caps, beanbags and crackers can be used if a fur seal is deemed to present an "unacceptable risk" to marine workers.
"This framework has not kept up with the expansion of this industry ... the seal management framework would be a concern even if the attitude of towards seals within the industry was not a problem," Ms Middleton said.
"We need to see urgent reform at industry level and at government level as to how the wildlife are treated."
In a statement, Tassal reconfirmed its policy is to not engage seals unless necessary.
"Our primary effort is exclusion. We do not seek to engage with wildlife except when we need to. However, we do operate in wild environments, and occasional wildlife interactions do occur," it read.
"Tassal is committed to compliance with all regulations regarding seal and wildlife management around our operational areas."
Tassal has pointed to its online sustainability reporting dashboard as a way it provides transparency in its actions.
"The figures are updated regularly and also published annually in our sustainability report," the statement said.
However, Ms Middleton said Environment Tasmania had "no faith" in the company to accurately self-report its activities.
"The other thing we want to see is complete monitoring information which is publicly available immediately," Ms Middleton said.
"We have no faith in the government or the industry to share what is really going on.
"The current facade of transparency does not come close to what we need to see."
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