NW fish farm worry

A TASMANIAN council that wants a moratorium on fish farming in the state’s North West will approach neighbouring municipalities to gain a history-making “combined stance” to take to the state government.

Fish farmer Petuna moved into Strahan’s Macquarie Harbour in the 1980s followed by Tassal and Huon Aquaculture.

Petuna has released early plans to farm salmon 12km off Stanley, but a “secret” map released last week shows there are broader plans to expand further into the North West.

Burnie Councillor Ken Dorsey’s motion to halt those plans until the full impacts of aquaculture on the marine environment and commercial fishing livelihoods were known, was supported at Tuesday night’s meeting.

The 5-4 councillor support came despite the council’s general manager advising against getting involved in the discussion “at this time”.

The council’s vote has been applauded by the Tasmania

Alliance for Marine Protection.

“The council’s bold decision to confront the salmon industry’s plans in North West Tasmania stands as a clear warning to the state government that the public mood has turned against an industry that has proved massively damaging to … waterways,” TAMP’s Peter George said.

“The councillors are to be congratulated for becoming the first council to stand up for their residents, their coast and the region’s reputation in the face of the industry’s false promises of jobs and sustainability.”

Petuna has released plans for fish farms in an area between Stanley and Three Hummock Island.

The company says the farming zone it is exploring is offshore and almost 12km from the shoreline and monitoring showed the high-energy conditions would result in rapid dilution and dispersal of nutrient emissions.

Burnie City Council general manager Simon Overland said if fish farming was to proceed there would be a range of regulatory processes to be followed and the council should wait to see what specific proposals come forward.

The government is looking at moving fish farming out into deeper Commonwealth waters but at the same time maps released by community group Neighbours of Fish Farming show it plans to allow access to large parts of Tasmania’s coast to fish farms

The council is seeking a meeting with Wynyard Waratah and Circular Head councils and the government to discuss the issue.