Nod to fish farm jobs

THE State Government has released draft legislation it hopes will allay community concerns about fish farming while maintaining a prosalmon industry stance.

In a direct appeal to fish farm workers and the community via a video on Facebook, Primary Industries Minister Jeremy Rockliff said the Finfish Farming Environmental Regulation Bill 2017 was the next wave in improvements to the regulation of fish farming.

“We value your job and we won’t stand by and let the Greens and green groups damage your industry,” Mr Rockliff said.

“The Tasmanian salmon industry sustains 5200 jobs and we want to see it grow sustainably with community support.

“To achieve this we have committed to continuous improvements to ensure better planning, better regulation and greater community confidence.”

Mr Rockliff said fish farming had become the state’s biggest primary industry.

The Government says the new fish farm Bill will: TRANSFER environmental management of the salmon industry and its supply chain to the Environment Protection Authority; GIVE powers for the declaration of finfish marine farming exclusion zones, or ``no grow zones’’ — the first of which will be in the greater Mercury Passage; REINTRODUCE demerit points for breaches of licence conditions; and INTRODUCE tougher penalties for licence breaches including fines in the “millions of dollars”

The Greens have rubbished the Mercury Passage ban, given it places no restriction on Tassal’s controversial fish farm in Okehampton Bay near Triabunna.

Tassal had already said it did not wish to extend the farm into Mercury Passage.

Greens leader Cassy O’Connor said it was difficult to know whether the Bill would do anything to improve the industry’s practices.

“It does seem to be again tinkering around the edges. Marine farming happens outside the normal planning processes in this state and we have always argued they should be back in there,” she said.

“If the Liberals are serious listening to the community on fish farms . . . they will tell Tassal to stay out of Okehampton Bay.”

Ms O’Connor said there was also legitimate concern about the EPA’s handling of fish farms given the environmental damage caused in Macquarie Harbour.

The Bill is due to be tabled in Parliament’s spring session.

Tassal said yesterday it supported measures outlined to strengthen a regulatory approach to salmon farming.

“Tassal will work with stakeholders directly to fully understand the draft legislative framework in detail and is committed to ensuring a critical focus is maintained at all times on safe, compliant operations,” it said.