Seal deal a win for ‘little bloke’: fishers

NORTH-WEST fishermen have hailed the decision to end seal relocations from salmon farms as a belated win for the “little bloke”.

The State Government and Tassal also have promised seal culling will not replace transportation under Tasmania’s new seal management framework.

The Government yesterday said that, after Christmas, Tassal would no longer be able to bring problem seals from its fish farms in the South to North-West waters.

“Fisherman have been justifiably concerned and we have drawn a line in the sand. Other companies deal with this same seal issues and it is up to Tassal to comply,” Primary Industries Minister Jeremy Rockliff said.

So far this year, 1900 seals have been moved from Tassal’s fish pens to beaches near Rocky Cape and Devonport.

Fishermen in the region have long protested their nets were being plundered by increasingly aggressive seals and their catches were significantly down.

The transporting of troublesome seals away from salmon farms began in the 1990s as a “temporary” way of providing respite until better pen security measures were introduced.

Tassal is the only fish farmer still using the practice.

“It is a belated win but a win nonetheless,” said Montagu fisherman Craig Garland, who spearheaded the protests.

“We have been protesting for many decades and have been ignored. We felt like the invisible men for a long time and it has been taxing on a financial and emotional level.”

Environmentalists also welcomed the seal relocation ban but raised concerns it might lead to an increase in seal culling.

Tassal was quick to calm those concerns, saying the humane killing of seals was only allowed under exceptional circumstances.

“No seal had been hurt during seal relocations and Tassal had never, and would never, advocate for a cull,” Tassal chief executive Mark Ryan said.

Mr Rockliff said 22 had been shot by fish farmers since 2010.

“It is only allowed as an absolute last resort and I do not expect to see it used as a replacement for relocation,” he said.

News a seal relocation ban was going to be introduced was heralded on Wednesday night by Liberal backbencher Adam Brooks, who had campaigned against the governmentsanctioned practice.

But Labor accused the Government of allowing backbenchers, rather than community and industry consultation, to dictate pol- icy. Braddon MP Shane Broad said seal relocation numbers had become “far too high” under the watch of Mr Rockliff.

“Now a backbencher is getting credit for campaigning against his own Government,” he said.

Tassal said it would abide by the new rules as it continued to roll out new salmon pens to provide greater protection from seals.

“We are really encouraged the minister acknowledges that there are important [workplace safety] issues at play here ... it is pleasing that the minister acknowledges his part by accepting a duty of care for the safety of our employees,’’ Mr Ryan said.