2 February 2023

Roger Jaensch, Minister for Environment and Climate Change

Public feedback sought on draft Environmental Standards for finfish farming

The Tasmanian Government has today released the draft Environmental Standards for Tasmanian Marine Finfish Farming for public feedback.

The Environmental Standards will build on existing requirements to ensure a contemporary monitoring and environmental management framework that is clear, robust and fosters environmentally sustainable finfish farming practices.

Included in the new draft Environment Standards for Tasmanian Marine Finfish Farming are:

• Consistent, transparent regulations to be applied across the finfish farming industry
• Protection for reef and seagrass habitats
• Consistent and increased regulation of noise and light emissions from finfish farming activities
• Rigorous environmental monitoring requirements
• Action required from finfish farm operators if there is evidence of deterioration of the seabed ecosystem
• Caps on nitrogen output (i.e dissolved nutrients) to be applied to every finfish farming region
• Finfish farm operators are now required to prepare and implement waste management plans

Environment and Climate Change Minister Roger Jaensch said the draft Standards were the first to be released on a range of issues made possible through recent changes to Tasmania’s environmental legislation.

“A key purpose of the Tasmanian Salmon Industry Plan is to enable future growth of the industry that meets the expected standards of environmental and social responsibility,” Minister Jaensch said.

“These Environment Standards will be crucial in ensuring the long-term environmental sustainability of finfish farming in Tasmania.”

Feedback can be provided until March 21 by making a submission or completing a short online survey via NRETas’ website.

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