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Commercial cray fishery closed after salmon companies deploy antibiotic

16/11/2025

Breaking news - Premier confirms florfenicol is the cause of the shutdown

The commercial cray fishery south of the D'Entrecasteaux Channel has been effectively closed from 15 November 2025, until further notice, shortly after Tassal began using florfenicol at its Meads Creek and Stringers Cove leases on 7 November, and Huon Aquaculture did likewise at its Zuidpool North lease on 12 November. Florfenicol is an agricultural antibiotic not previously used in Australian aquaculture.

The distance between the treated leases sites and the closure area indicates antibiotic residues may spread from the leases at southern Bruny Island into Storm Bay where commercial cray fishing occurs.

The notice prohibits commercial cray fishing and using cray pots. There is no mention of a date for re-opening, monitoring protocols or testing. It only applies to commercial operations, and does not prohibit recreational fishing.

The Department of Public Health issued separate non-mandatory advice on 7 November recommending recreational fishers avoid eating fish caught within 3km of treated pens for 21 days after treatment ends.

And in breaking news, Premier Jeremy Rockliff has confirmed in Budget Estimates that the use of florfenicol is the direct cause of shutdowns applied to the southern rock lobster industry.

The Premier also refused to rule out prohibiting the use of florfenicol by salmon companies during the period leading up to Christmas, meaning Tasmanians and commercial fishing industries could suffer significant consequences at this crucial time.

And the ABC reports a government statement that this is not because florfenicol is a danger to human health, but is a precautionary move because of the sensitivity of the Chinese market, which requires no traces of any antibiotic. NOFF adds that this still means that florfenicol is the cause of the shutdown.