TISC Calls for UNESCO Action on Macquarie Harbour Environmental Crisis

16 April 2024

In response to urgent appeals by environmental groups and the Tasmanian Independent Science Council (TISC), UNESCO has contacted the Albanese government to address the severe impacts of salmon farming in Macquarie Harbour that threaten the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area and the endangered Maugean skate.

TISC's recent letter to UNESCO underscores the Australian government’s critical failure to conduct thorough environmental assessments and calls for immediate measures to protect the area’s unique ecosystem. Aquaculture licences are currently under review by Minister Tanya Plibersek.

Read the Media Release below:

Urgent threat to the heritage value of the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area

EPBC Act review of salmon farming in Macquarie Harbour

2 February 2024

The operation of intensive salmon aquaculture in Macquarie Harbour since its expansion in 2012 has had severe impacts on Matters of National Environmental Significance that are protected under the EPBC Act.

Based on the evidence set out below, we strongly recommend that the 2012 decision to enable the expansion of marine farming in Macquarie Harbour, on the basis that it was Not a Controlled Action if undertaken in a Particular Manner, be revoked and substituted with a new decision. 

This activity has resulted in significant degradation of the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area values and has also been a major factor in the precipitous decline in the population of the now critically endangered Maugean skate.

Read the Submission below:

Tasmanian Independent Science Council submission regarding the Federal reconsideration of the 2012 EPBC Act Decision on Marine Farming Expansion, Macquarie Harbour (2012/6406).

FACT CHECK OF SALMON TAS REPORT: The Tasmanian Salmon industry: a vital social and economic contributor.

15 August 2023

This report assesses Salmon Tasmania’s recent publication on the social and economic impact of the Tasmanian salmon aquaculture industry. It draws on the underlying report to Salmon Tasmania by Deloitte, and the preceding background report ‘Salmonid Aquaculture Production’ published by the Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies.

The Tasmanian Independent Science Council has reviewed economic claims made by Salmon Tasmania and finds that the claims are misleading and overstate the economic and social contribution of the industry. 

“Now that all three salmon producers are under foreign ownership, industry finances and economic contributions have become even more opaque. Salmon Tasmania has missed an opportunity to provide the Tasmanian public with a transparent, holistic analysis that accounts for all social, economic and environmental costs and benefits of the industry,” says report author Dr Graeme Wells.

Read the Media Release below:

Salmon industry overstates economic impact

Read the Full Report below:

Fact Check of Salmon Tasmania’s report – The Tasmanian Salmon industry: a vital social and economic contributor.

WHY SALMON FARMING SHOULD BE REMOVED FROM LONG BAY: A multiple lines of evidence review

21 July 2023

Long Bay is not a suitable location for salmon or other finfish farming. It is strongly recommended that the current operations be removed from the bay, that the current Environmental and Marine Farming Licenses not be renewed, and that the Tasman Marine Farm Development Plan be modified to exclude finfish aquaculture as a permissible use at this lease. On 30 November 2023, the current Environmental License (9959/3) for the Long Bay finfish lease is due to expire. Based on the evidence of environmental harm and nuisance presented in this report, this License should not be renewed.

The Tasmanian Independent Science Council has written directly to the Minister for Environment, the Minister for Primary Industries, and the Director of the EPA detailing this request.

Read the Media Release below:

Time to end salmon farming in Long Bay: Scientists say

Read the Full Report below:

Why salmon farming should be removed from Long Bay

Read the Letter to the Minister below:

Letter

Plan B: An Alternative Vision for Aquaculture in Tasmania

27 April 2023

In April 2022, the Tasmanian Government started developing a 10-year salmon plan. Key stakeholders, including the Tasmanian Independent Science Council (TISC), were invited to participate in a ‘consultative and collaborative’ process to provide input to this plan. The TISC has participated in all aspects of this consultation process, but our input—along with that of many other organisation and individuals—has been largely ignored.

The TISC has developed PLAN B to provide a positive alternative plan for Tasmania's aquaculture industry. PLAN B is underpinned by a ten-point framework that focuses on three fundamental principles – world class science and innovation, full transparency, and fair and equitable returns – outlining a more sustainable way forward for the creation of regional jobs and for protecting the environment.

VISION

A profitable salmon industry that coexists with healthy marine and freshwater environments, provides good economic value to the Tasmanian people, and does not detract from the use and enjoyment of our shared waterways.

Read the Full Report below:

PLAN B: AN ALTERNATIVE VISION FOR SALMON AQUACULTURE IN TASMANIA