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The political firestorm over Tasmania’s salmon farming
Mar 24, 2025
Adam Morton, Guardian Australia’s climate and environment editor, dives into the heated debate surrounding Tasmania's salmon farming. He highlights shocking environmental incidents, including mass fish die-offs and concerning practices at farms. The pushback from conservation groups is fierce, driven by impactful drone footage and fears for fish safety. Morton also discusses the political fallout as the Labor government faces criticism for prioritizing economic interests over environmental protection, all set against the backdrop of an impending federal election.
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Quick takeaways
- The mass die-off of over a million salmon due to bacterial infection has intensified public concerns about health and safety in Tasmania's aquaculture industry.
- Political tensions have escalated as conservationists challenge government efforts to expand salmon farming amidst serious environmental implications and potential risks to local ecosystems.
Deep dives
Environmental Concerns and Mass Fish Die-Off
The salmon farming industry in Tasmania is facing significant scrutiny due to a mass die-off of fish attributed to a rickettsia bacterium outbreak. Over a million fish have reportedly died, which constitutes about 8% of the annual salmon production in the region. This dire situation has alarmed locals, especially after gruesome visuals of dead fish washing up on beaches emerged, causing public outcry. While the fish farming industry and regulatory authorities maintain that the public health risk remains minimal, the public's confidence in the safety of consuming Tasmanian salmon has been severely shaken.
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