HARBOUR HISTORY

MID-1980s: Aquaculture industry begins farming in Macquarie Harbour. MAY 2012: Amendment to the Macquarie Harbour Marine Farming Development Plan approved by Tasmanian government, permitting companies to expand operations. MARCH 2015: A joint email from Huon’s Frances Bender and Petuna chief executive Mark Porter, outlining concerns about the health of the waterway, is leaked and tabled in State Parliament. APRIL 2016: DPIPWE permits biomass increase in the harbour to 21,500 tonnes for 2016-17 year. SEPTEMBER 2016: Underwater monitoring shows 19 noncompliant sites in the harbour, 14 of them under Tassal leases. OCTOBER 2016: ABC’s Four Corners airs concerns about the condition of Macquarie Harbour. JANUARY 2017: IMAS report showing sea floor devoid of fauna beyond leases is released. FEBRUARY 2017: The Mercury reveals EPA has ordered Tassal to destock the Franklin lease. Huon Aquaculture launches court action against regulators. APRIL 2017: Tassal finishes destocking Franklin lease. The Mercury reveals the company expects to exceed the biomass cap. MAY 2017: The EPA director flags plans to reduce the biomass cap to 12,000 tonnes, but allows Tassal to farm additional salmon. JUNE 2017: The EPA approves Tassal’s waste capture system, allowing the company to farm over the limit. AUGUST 2017: Tassal and Huon both reveal record profits for the 2016-17 financial year.