Salmon farming future in Macquarie Harbour still being considered, documents showJBy Jano GibsonTopic:Fishing and Aquaculture Industry28m ago28 minutes agoTue 29 Apr 2025 at 7:42pmGreen groups have vowed to test the laws. (Bob Brown Foundation)In short: Documents show the federal government is still considering the impact of salmon farming in Tasmania's Macquarie Harbour.The revelation comes after parliament passed amendments last month designed to protect salmon jobs by reforming national environmental laws.What's next?The opposition says it leaves open the possibility of an industry shutdown — but Labor says it will follow the recent law changes.abc.net.au/news/assessment-of-salmon-farming-in-macquarie-harbour-still-active/105229804Link copiedShareShare articleThe future of salmon farming in Tasmania's Macquarie Harbour remains under "active" assessment by the federal government, despite the passing of legislation designed to nullify the issue.Tasmania's salmon industry was relieved, and environmental groups were outraged, when parliament approved contentious amendments to national environmental laws late last month.The changes were primarily intended to end Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek's assessment of salmon farming's impact on an endangered species in the harbour.Had Ms Plibersek chosen to conduct a broad review, it could have led to the shutdown of the local industry — a politically precarious prospect for the government ahead of the election.But documents seen by the ABC show the deliberation process is ongoing, with the minister's consideration yet to be formally concluded.Loading...Anti-salmon crowds fill Hobart Parliament House lawnsPhoto shows Crowds attend an anti-salmon rally in HobartOpponents of salmon farming addressed a packed Hobart Parliament House lawn to rally against the state's salmon industry, following a mass mortality event over summer.The details emerged in correspondence sent by the federal environment department to former senator Rex Patrick on April 16 — almost three weeks after the amendments became law.Mr Patrick, a transparency advocate, had submitted a Freedom of Information (FOI) request for departmental advice and a briefing given to the minister in January and February this year.But his application was rejected, partly on the grounds the documents included deliberative information, advice and recommendations, which the department said were exempt."The documents contain the weighing up of options by the minister to assist with the decision-making process, which is still current and subject to ongoing deliberative processes," its decision letter states."The documents also include content and recommendations which remain under assessment and consideration by the Minister and are subject to further development and change."Anti-salmon farming groups held a rally in Hobart on Sunday. (ABC News: Jake Grant)The ABC approached the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (DCCEEW) for further clarity.It confirmed the matter "remains subject to deliberative processes"."The minister must undertake an appropriate regulatory process to apply the law," it added.The department's online portal also confirms the assessment of marine farming in Macquarie Harbour is still "active".Read more about the federal election:How much Climate 200 has donated to 19 independentsCoalition tapping into community concerns about crime ahead of electionFind out how your views line up with the major parties with Vote CompassWant even more? Here's where you can find all our 2025 federal election coverage'Inconsistency' persists, former senator saysA map showing the location of salmon farm licences in Macquarie Harbour, on Tasmania's west coast. (ABC News: Magie Khameneh)Environmental laws set to be scaled backThe government rushed through the amendments with the support of the opposition on March 26 during the final sitting week before the election was called."We won't stand by and let workers in Strahan lose their livelihoods because of a broken law," a government spokesperson said at the time."Under existing law, an industry could be shut down overnight when an environmental assessment commences."That is not acceptable to the government or to the community."Anthony Albanese speaks to Tassal employees at a fish farm enclosure during visit to Tasmania in December 2024. (Tassal)But Rex Patrick told the ABC the FOI process had confirmed the matter was not yet over."The FOI has revealed an inconsistency between the public's perception and the department's treatment of the matter," he said.The opposition's environment spokesperson, Senator Jonno Duniam, said the revelations were "an outrage"."The fact is, these documents reveal that the minister still can make a decision to shut down salmon farming in Macquarie Harbour, contrary to the promise she made to us, the opposition, to the parliament and to the people [in the electorate] of Braddon."A government spokesperson told the ABC the "government, as always, will follow the law".Federal Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek. (ABC News: Maren Preuss)Green groups set to test lawMs Plibersek's assessment was sparked in November 2023, when three environmental groups asked the minister to reconsider prior approvals given to the industry in 2012.How is salmon farming managed overseas?Photo shows Large ship next to a fish farm pen in the ocean.Foreign companies now own Tasmania's big three salmon farming operations. Here's a look at how industrial fish farms are run overseas — and the problems operators have encountered when there's opposition to their practices.The groups argued salmon farming was putting the endangered Maugean skate, a ray-like fish species only found in Macquarie Harbour, at risk of extinction.The left-leaning think tank Australia Institute was one of the groups that requested the review.Its Tasmanian director, Eloise Carr, said the FOI documents showed the department was following due process and listening to the science."Fish farming in Macquarie Harbour should be called in for a comprehensive assessment under national nature laws," she said.The recent amendments would not achieve the government's aim, she added."We've said repeatedly the law was so poorly drafted and so devoid of parliamentary scrutiny that we don't think it applies to Macquarie Harbour fish farming."The Bob Brown Foundation, one of the other groups that requested a ministerial review, has launched a legal challenge against the new laws.The matter is expected to be heard in the federal court next month.Salmon Tasmania did not respond to a request for comment. Eloise Carr says the Australia Institute considers the law to be "so poorly drafted" it does not apply to "Macquarie Harbour fish farming". (ABC News: Ebony ten Broeke)LoadingLoading...Having trouble seeing this form? 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