Huon blames net tear for December escape

TASMANIAN fish farmer Huon has blamed a “net tear” caused by net cleaning for the mass escape of salmon from one of its pens in December.

An estimated 120,000 to 130,000 young salmon escaped from Huon’s Yellow Bluff site.

“Following extensive internal investigations including multiple discussions with on-water crew, analysis of vessel movements and assessment of works plans, the recent net tear at one of our pens in Storm Bay was most likely caused during net cleaning operations,” Huon said.

The company added that initial uncertainty around the cause was due to inconsistent GPS data about the location of vessels near the lease.

Huon’s statement went on: “Net cleaning is a complex task, with crew working with multiple pieces of equipment including generators, electrical and mechanical pressure pump systems, high and low voltage motors and associated parts,” stated Huon.

“We have implemented a range of actions to strengthen our operational processes including the installation of ROV (remotely operated vehicle) cameras on every net cleaning vessel and additional equipment training.

Shortly before the net tear incident, a fire on one of Huon’s other sites caused the escape of around 50,000 salmon.