Peter Gutwein,Premier
I am truly disheartened to see Tasmanians deliberately spreading false information by placing anti-salmon billboards interstate, and I strongly urge them to be removed.
Tasmanian salmon companies have been global pioneers, and the Tasmanian Government supports the industry on its continued journey to be a world leader in operations, environmental management, fish health, biosecurity and sustainability.
Aquaculture is an integral food production sector and salmon a healthy and safe source of protein.
Tasmania's salmon industry is worth nearly $1 billion to our economy, and has a history of innovation and commitment to continuous improvement.
This includes through:
- World leading water quality monitoring, measuring benthic, sea floor, near farm and broad scale levels to test impacts;
- State-of-the-art remote feeding centres, with technology to deliver operational, fish welfare and environmental benefits;
- Commitment to climate change adaptation actions, including selective breeding program to adjust fish resilience and increase temperature tolerance in line with the changing conditions;
- Global leading certifications;
- Among the lowest stocking densities in the world; and
- Commitment to fish welfare with strong vaccination and disease management strategies, that set the Tasmanian industry apart from other areas of the world;
However, this is a Government that firmly believes it has a responsibility to foster the regulatory environment and to support ongoing improvements.
For example, we have announced this week that we are strengthening the EPA into a standalone independent State Authority.
The salmon industry operates within stringent environmental guidelines set by the EPA, and, we will have more to say on further steps that will be taken to support the salmon industry on its continued journey of sustainability and innovation.
Today I would like to acknowledge the workers, researchers, scientists, animal welfare specialists, technology experts and operational staff in the industry.
I'd like to acknowledge the companies for their commitment to Tasmanian communities, the partnerships they have and the work they do to provide employment opportunities, including the many small businesses they support.
Our salmon industry and those employed through it, deserve recognition for their innovation and the work they do.
