Calls for fish farm clearout

THE state’s peak marine protection body has weighed in to the battle against Tasmanian fish farms, calling for the state government to step in.

However, the government has remained steadfast in its support for the industry.

The Tasmanian Alliance for Marine Protection has created the Dennes Point Declaration — three demands that cochair Peter George says will help save Tasmania’s coast and marine environment.

The declaration calls for a moratorium on new fish farms in Tasmania’s waterways; an immediate transition from coastal leases into land- based and deep- ocean aquaculture; and, “an independent, properly empowered and properly resourced regulator guided by independent science and community values”.

Among the signatories are author Richard Flanagan, actor Essie Davis, director Justin Kurzel, business consultant Gerard Castles and a number of coastal community groups.

“Deep- ocean and landbased production is the future of aquaculture everywhere else in the world, but the salmon companies here will go on destroying our beautiful coastlines and marine life for as long as it costs them nothing,” Mr George said.

A Tassal spokesman said its Upper Channel operations were fully compliant with the regulatory setting.

Primary Industries and Water Minister Guy Barnett said the state government was supporting the salmon industry’s growth with a strong regulatory framework.