Huon Aquaculture reported four dolphin deaths at salmon farms in the first half of 2025

NOFF is appalled by revelations of more wildlife dying in Huon Aquaculture salmon farms. Documents released by the Tasmanian government state that four dolphins have been killed at their ocean net pen leases so far this year.

This comes just a few months after Huon Aquaculture was stripped of its RSPCA endorsement for fish welfare breaches. The Tasmanian Inquirer reports that in total 7 dolphins have died in the past two years on salmon farms.

"It is not okay that Tasmanian wildlife is dying for the obscene profits of multi-national companies," said Lisa Litjens, Vice President of Neighbours of Fish Farming. "NOFF expects concerned members of Parliament to raise this scandal when it resumes tomorrow."

Last week NOFF wrote to the Department of Natural Resources & Environment Tasmania requesting the updated marine wildlife interaction plan that was promised as part of the salmon industry plan in 2023.

"Our Tasmanian marine wildlife is protected by law, and yet the industry seems to get a free pass when it comes to the destruction of our marine mammals and birds," says Jess Coughlan, NOFF Campaigner.

"Any measures taken to protect our marine wildlife clearly aren't working. The only solution is to remove this heavy industry from our sensitive inshore waterways, as recommended by the Legislative Council in 2022."

Huon Aquaculture reported four dolphin deaths at salmon farms in the first half of 2025, Tasmanian government data reveals. Seven dolphins died in salmon leases in the last two years, with the seal death toll increasing to 108 since 2018 reports the Tasmanian Inquirer.

Two dolphins died in May and another in June at a Huon lease east of Bruny Island, and another in March in the D'Entrecasteaux Channel and Huon River region.

NRE said it has requested further information from Huon "to assist in reviewing the circumstances surrounding the dolphin mortalities". It said that it conducts routine audits of salmon farming infrastructure and works with industry on improved practices.

Huon told Tasmanian Inquirer that it "is continuing to investigate the cause" of the deaths and will provide the information to the department, and that "We are actively exploring and investing in [unspecified] solutions to enhance wildlife safety within our marine leases."

The data also revealed that Huon used 86 per cent of the 1682 underwater explosives used to deter seals in the first half of 2025. These "seal crackers" make a loud bang and a flash of light. The salmon industry has used almost 147,000 explosive devices in Tasmanian waters since 2016.

Two fur seals died in Huon leases in the first half of 2025, and three in Tassal leases. 108 seals have died at Tasmanian salmon farms since January 2018.

• Tasmanian Inquirer September 8, 2025