The draft Sustainable Industry Growth Plan for the Salmon industry, released yesterday by the Hodgman Liberal Government, represents an exciting blue-print for the industry’s future.
One of the commitments in the Growth Plan is for future ``grow zones’’ to be largely oceanic rather than estuarine.
The Huon Aquaculture Company has provided valuable input in the Plan and has received an environmental monitoring permit to explore the potential for Atlantic salmon farming on the east coast of South Bruny Island.
This exploration represents a big step in salmon farming exploration, including an area more than 6 km off the coast of Bruny Island.
This permit is part of the preliminary investigation process covering areas like water temperature, tidal flow and depth and also includes extensive local community consultation.
Salmon farming is one of Tasmania’s growth industries and already supports more than 5000 jobs, mostly in regional Tasmania, and is strictly controlled through new tougher regulations by the independent Environment Protection Authority.
The draft Sustainable Industry Growth Plan for the Salmon Industry has been released for public input so that the entire Tasmanian community can understand our vision and priorities for the industry’s future.
The Plan includes a map of Tasmania that identifies ``Grow Zones’’ and also salmon farm exclusion areas, or “No Grow Zones”, extending the precedent set in Greater Mercury Passage on the East Coast, so that Tasmanians will have certainty about future farming locations.
This is all about getting the balance right and the Plan relates to all aspects of the industry from hatchery to harvest, research and development, skills and also future planning.
The Tasmanian Government is working with the industry and regional communities to ensure the salmon industry remains a truly world-class asset that enjoys the support of the Tasmanian community.
The draft Plan is available is available for public comment until September 8, 2017, and can be viewed at www.dpipwe.tas.gov.au/salmonplan.
More Media Releases from Jeremy Rockliff
More Media Releases from the Minister for Primary Industries and Water