The state’s salmon industry has seen a significant increase in mortalities – impacting fish farms across Tasmania.
The newsroom understands several thousand fish have died in recent weeks, predominantly in the Huon Valley area with salmon farms at Rowella in the north and Macquarie Harbour on the west coast also impacted.
The issue has affected the three major salmon companies – Tassal, Petuna and Huon Aquaculture.
They’ve declined to comment on the reports, but Salmon Tasmania CEO Luke Martin has told us that elevated mortality is rare and can be caused by a range of factors including warm water temperatures, minor diseases and jellyfish outbreaks.
He said, “All animal farmers experience mortalities and salmon companies have environment and fish health experts who manage conditions in line with Tasmania’s strict regulations and reporting requirements.”
