Animals Australia alleges welfare breaches in Tasmanian salmon industry

Animals Australia has launched formal complaints against Tasmania’s Atlantic salmon industry, alleging systemic breaches of the state’s Animal Welfare Act. The lobbying group is calling on Biosecurity Tasmania to investigate major operators, including Huon Aquaculture, Tassal Group, and Petuna Aquaculture, for conduct that allegedly causes prolonged pain, injury, and death to fish.

The complaints cite various incidents of mismanagement, such as mass fish mortalities, overstocking in pens, and the handling of live fish during mortality events. Additional allegations include the mistreatment of other marine life, such as dolphins and seals, caught in industry equipment.

While Tasmania’s Department of Natural Resources and Environment confirmed the matter is under consideration, critics and Tasmanian Greens MPs have accused Biosecurity Tasmania of failing to exercise its regulatory responsibilities and failing to press charges despite evidence of misconduct.