Unfit for human consumption: increasing contempt and irresponsibility of industrial salmon

When will the EPA and the State government take responsibility for the increasing pollution of our waterways by the multi-national salmon companies? The report published today in the Tasmanian Inquirer  by journalist Bob Burton, reveals Huon Aquaculture's reckless use of 1,133kg of antibiotics so far this year.

"Antibiotic residue was detected in a sample of three wild fish caught within the lease at a level of up to 2400 micrograms per kilogram (µg/kg) - twelve times the 200 µg/kg maximum allowable OTC residue in food for human consumption in Australia." Tasmanian Inquirer

"When wild fish are being infected with antibiotics at a level 12 times the maximum allowed," says Jess Coughlan, Neighbours of Fish Farming Campaigner " it is absolutely clear that the salmon farming industry is unable to operate responsibly in our waterways."

"Where are the fines? Where are the licensing penalties? Why bother having thresholds of compliance when industry simply will not comply with them? This report comes after a warm summer where over 2 million salmon in the south eastern feedlots perished due to disease. Now our wild fish populations and ecosystems are being destroyed by excessive antibiotics. How will recreational fishers, and all Tasmanians, know that wild fish are safe to eat?"

"The state, and Federal, governments are responsible for the safety of all Tasmanians and the food we eat. Multinational salmon corporations need to transition immediately out of our waterways: Atlantic salmon do not belong in shallow waters," says Lisa Litjens, Vice President, NOFF.

Comments attributed to: 

• Jess Coughlan, NOFF Campaigner
• Lisa Litjens, Vice President, NOFF.
• noff7112@gmail.com, 0431684741