We need to set record straight on our salmon

It’s a shame wrong information is causing trouble, say Allan McCallum and Mark Ryan

TASMANIAN salmon is considered the finest in the world.

Tasmanian salmon producers are held in the highest esteem by our global peers, adopting world’s best practice farming techniques and a dedication to science, innovation and quality that is second to none.

A survey of Tasmanian restaurants conducted through the Tasmanian Hospitality Association (THA) found diners cherish only one thing higher than customer service: beautiful Tasmanian produce.

It is then extraordinary that the very product diners revere is being compromised based on alarmingly inaccurate information presented by Environment Tasmania, which calls into question traceability and transparency.

However, it is appropriate that we acknowledge Environment Tasmania for raising the questions on traceability and transparency — both are at the heart of our business.

In fact, traceability and transparency are fundamental to the gold standard for fish farming, and must be practised to earn certification from the independent Aquaculture Stewardship Council (ASC).

The disappointing fact is that Environment Tasmania was not aware of this and, despite being contacted for meetings, has chosen to pursue a Sustainability Salmon Charter in isolation, without scientific or operational expertise or input.

By contrast, the Tasmanian salmon industry has understood for many years that it cannot make up its own standards, nor choose its own science, but rather submit itself to expert scrutiny, assessment and evaluation.

That is why all three salmon producers have sought ASC certification. To this stage only Tassal and Petuna have been successful in gaining that expert endorsement across the breadth of their operations.

Obtaining and maintaining this certification, which provides consumers and the public full traceability and transparency, is no easy feat.

ASC audits are comprehensive and look at our entire operation.

It is not just our marine farms that the auditors assess, but our hatcheries, workplace health and safety system, human resources and the “chain of custody” from harvest to distribution and sale.

Community and stakeholder engagement is also a requirement of each audit, with feedback sought through community meetings and written submissions.

Our employees work hard to maintain our compliance against the 154 individual compliance criteria within the standard. We are continuously making improvements and preparation for each audit is ongoing.

This system of certification works in exactly the same way as the certification granted to sustainable forest operations, the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC), which is now recognised as the essential stamp of approval for the state’s forest products industry. Nothing less than ASC certification, embracing world’s best practice, can be claimed as the most credible endorsement of sustainability for farmed salmon.

Just as the science from the leading independent institutions such as the national CSIRO and the IMAS in Tasmania is the bedrock for how the industry is managed and regulated.

As CEO and chair of Tassal, with the support of the THA, we would love to sit down with our local chefs and Environment Tasmania to address any concerns and share why we are proud of our Tasmanian salmon farming business and the rigorous traceability and transparency that we practise through ASC. Allan McCallum is the chairman of Tassal and Mark Ryan is the company’s chief executive and managing director.