Commercial cray fishery closed after salmon companies deploy antibiotic

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.

• Read the full story in the Tasmanian Times, 15 November 2025.