Government will be punished: hundreds protest against industrial salmon
The Tasmanian government was warned today that the growing movement against industrial salmon feedlots in coastal waters would spill into the next state elections. The warning came as more than 100 watercraft and 400 people on the beach gathered for the Join In Salmon Out protest at Coningham Beach on the D'Entrecasteaux Channel today.
Many of the watercraft, including sailing boats, fishing vessels, tinnies and kayaks encircled the 25 Tassal Sheppards lease feedlots on the Channel, to demand that they be removed from the vulnerable waterway.
Killora Community Association's Gerard Castles, the lead organiser, said the protests against industrial salmon were getting bigger as plans to expand the industry were being drawn up by the government.
"The message is pretty simple," Mr Castles said. "Get out of our water, get onto land or get out of Tasmania. It's a toxic industry."
Booker Prize winning author, Richard Flanagan, said if the government failed to listen they would be punished at the polls.
"We need an ICAC to investigate why this industry seems to be above the law and we need new representatives who listen to the people. For those politicians who would dismiss this I have just two words: teal wave."
People from across the state, including from NWTas for Clean Oceans, Tasman Peninsula Marine Protection, Marine Protection Tasmania (from the east coast) and numerous groups from the south east attended the protest.