Today’s approval of Tassal’s Okehampton Bay aquaculture site by the independent Environment Protect Authority, including additional environmental monitoring at the site, is positive news for this sustainable industry and boosting jobs in regional Tasmania.
The Okehampton Bay finfish lease has now received the highest environmental tick in the land through the federal Environmental Protection and Biodiversity Conservation (EPBC) process and the environmental science underpinning salmon farming at Okehampton Bay was previously assessed by the independent Marine Farm Planning Review Panel as appropriate.
The Hodgman Liberal Government is the strongest supporter of the Tasmanian salmon industry and the 5200 jobs it supports. We want to support that sustainable growth and have taken action to ensure the Tasmanian public can be further assured about this this sustainable and world class industry. This includes the instigation of independent regulation through the Environment Protection Authority, and a tougher regulatory system including increased penalties and demerit points.
Today’s announcement by the EPA that they will instigate additional independent environmental monitoring at Okehampton Bay, is further evidence that the Hodgman Liberal Government’s changes to the regulation of the salmon industry are working.
We have also released a draft Sustainable Industry Growth Plan for the Salmon Industry which looks at all aspects of the industry, future planning and identifies potential ``grow zones’’ and ``no grow zones, including a no grow zone, banning any further salmon farming expansion right up the East Coast of Tasmania.
Tasmania’s salmon industry is world class and the Hodgman Liberal Government is committed to a suite of regulations and environmental oversight so that all Tasmanians can be assured about its sustainability.
More Media Releases from Jeremy Rockliff
More Media Releases from the Minister for Primary Industries and Water