Emergency permit suspended for using Florfenicol in salmon in Tasmania
In November 2025, the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority (APVMA) granted an emergency permit for the use of florfenicol in Tasmanian salmon aquaculture to treat Piscirickettsia salmonis.
On 4 March 2026 the APVMA suspended the emergency permit.
Read the full Regulator Statement by the Department of Natural Resources and Environment.
Animals Australia alleges potential breaches of Tasmania’s Animal Welfare Act 1993 across the state’s salmon farming industry.
Download TAMP’s PRESS RELEASE (text below)
Release date: Tuesday 8 September 2026
PRESS RELEASE
The Tasmanian Alliance for Marine Protection (TAMP)
demands that it is
TIME TO BRING TO ACCOUNT ANIMAL CRUELTY
IN TASMANIA’S SALMON INDUSTRY
___________________________________
MEDIA CALL :
1.15pm Tuesday 8 September, Parliament Lawns, Hobart
___________________________________
TAMP and its affiliates share their outrage at the shocking allegations by Animals Australia of potential breaches of Tasmania’s Animal Welfare Act 1993 across the state’s salmon farming industry.
TAMP acknowledges and supports the initiative of Animals Australia in lodging 2 complaints with Biosecurity Tasmania to investigate and enforce breaches of the Tasmanian Animal Welfare Act.
A statewide body, TAMP represents affiliate groups and members who have borne witness to, and protested, salmon farming operations in Tasmania for many years.
TAMP has long held concerns for the cruel practices on the salmon, in addition to other native marine life such as seals, dolphins and seabirds. These concerns led to the formation of TAMP’s Animal Welfare Group, which has since worked closely with Animals Australia.
TAMP President Diana Shaw says:
“All 3 foreign-owned multinational companies operating salmon farms in Tasmanian waters (Tassal/Cooke, Huon/JBS, Petuna/Sealord) are subject to the breaches of the Animal Welfare act and must be properly investigated by Biosecurity Tasmania. Biosecurity Tasmania is simply being asked to perform its statutory duty.”
At the same time as our Premier was heralding the presence of ‘Neil’ the southern elephant seal and the public were signing petitions for Neil’s safety, Tassal were firing bean bag rounds containing heavy lead pellets at fur seals that came near to, or entered the salmon pens, inflicting severe injuries, trauma and blindness to seals.
As stated by Animals Australia:
“Departmental wildlife interaction records for 2025 identify the deaths of 51 birds, eight seals and five dolphins, as well as the deployment of 3,477 seal crackers and at least 81 bean bag rounds.”
Debbie Dunn, TAMP’s Animal Welfare spokesperson says
“seal crackers have been known to rupture ear drums, shatter bones, cause internal bleeding and soft tissue burns to seals. This is a horrific act of animal cruelty, while the industry brushes it off as a simple ‘deterrent’.“
Tasmania markets its salmon as a premium, humanely raised product from a pristine natural paradise, yet the stark reality is a high-density industrial system, plagued by massive disease outbreak, chemicals reliance, and severe animal welfare failures that confirms yet again the industry has no Social Licence to operate.
Nothing short of a full, transparent and urgent investigation and prosecution should be accepted. The Tasmanian government cannot ignore this any longer.
“From hatchery to slaughter to plate, this industry must be held accountable” says Diana Shaw, TAMP President.
___________________________________
MEDIA CONTACT, TAMP :
Debbie Dunn 0429 098853 debbiedunn54@gmail.com
MEDIA CALL :
1.15pm Tuesday 8t September, Parliament Lawns, Hobart
Leave Our Waters Collective (LOWCO) Linktree
The Leave Our Waters Collective (LOWCO) is a TAMP affiliate. The LOWCO Linktree provides a useful snapshot of news about all things that threaten our precious coastal waters and waterways. Check back often to keep updated!
Tasmanian Government Study on the Salmon Industry
The Tasmanian government quietly launched a study on the salmon industry in October 2025, to “examine whether Tasmania’s regulatory arrangements are effective in achieving sustainable development while protecting the state’s marine and freshwater environments”.
You can have your say by making a written submission by Sunday 5 July. Make your voice heard!
Helping Tasmania’s environment: The Global Salmon Farming Resistance
Tasmania’s not alone in fighting to protect its waterways from industrial salmon farming. The Global Salmon Farming Resistance comprises more than 130 organisations and individuals from more than 20 countries that have joined the fight against one of the world’s fastest-growing and industries. The GSFR’s role is to assist local communities fighting against salmon farming, with resources, knowledge, and the visibility needed to act effectively within their own contexts. TAMP affiliates such as The Friends of the Bays and Neighbours of Fish Farming , plus other Tasmanian environmental groups have successfully applied for project grants over recent months and years to fund projects that further the fight for Tasmania’s coastlines and waterways.
Public Meeting: TPMP’s ‘Give Back Long Bay’ campaign
Tasman Peninsula Marine Protection (TPMP) are holding a public meeting in Eaglehawk Neck Hall at 2.00pm-3.30pm Sunday 16 November as part of the ‘Give Back Long Bay’ campaign. The focus is on the request to NOT RENEW lease # 55 in Long Bay, which expires at the end of November.
Anyone and everyone is encouraged to attend and hear some inspiring speakers, including:
Lousie Cherrie (Environment Management expert & industry consultant), Christine Coughanowr (environmental & estuarine scientist), John Stanfield (Secretary, Tasmanian Amateur Sea Fisherman’s Association), Sheenagh Neill (sailor & marine debris spokesperson, MPT), Madeline Habib (prominent activist and volunteer), and Meg Webb MLC (independent member for Nelson).
Protect our WaterWays info stalls in November & December
Protect our WaterWays members are going gangbusters! They’re running information stalls at Dodges Ferry on
Friday 7 November at the Primary School Fair, and
Sunday 14 December at the Small Town Market, Okines House
Flyers, stickers, info etc from other TAMP affiliates are most welcome. Check out POWW’s website and Facebook page for more details and support them if you can.
Insurance for TAMP affiliates
TAMP has public liability insurance set up to protect its affiliates when running events. Contact TAMP if you need a Certificate of Currency when organising an event.
Dodgey Baywatch Beach Rally
Excerpt from the Dodgey Baywatch crew’s Facebook page: Beach Rally to Fend off Fish Farms
On the 1st of February 2025 we will unite as a community to protect Frederick Henry and Norfolk Bay from the polluting effects of the expansion of fish farms near our local waterways.
Join us as we stand, arm in arm, as a community, wearing red and creating one big, continuous red line in the sand. Facing out to our bay to deliver our message...
"We are watching and we do not consent to dodgy practices in our bay"
WHAT TO WEAR: Red and binoculars, if you have them!
In honour of the Red Hand Fish, we'll be wearing red attire/bathers/beachwear and binoculars to signify we are keeping an eye on dodgey practices in the bay.
WHAT TO BRING: Yourselves, your friends, signage and placards
MEETING POINT: Carlton Beach, to the west of the SLSC at 3pm on the 1st of Feb.
PARKING: Limited parking available at surf club, please consider if you are fit and able walking from one of many signed access points along Carlton Beach Rd and factor that into your arrival time.
Former TAMP President in election bid
Peter George has recently stood down as TAMP President to focus on his bid for election as an Independent for Franklin in the next Tasmanian election. TAMP hopes that Peter’s many accomplishments and passion for Tasmania’s waterways result in his success. Visit Peter’s election website
Peter George, TAMP President to January 2025
BBF nationwide action outside Woolworths stores
TAMP is supporting action Australia-wide by the Bob Brown Foundation on 30 October 2024 - click here for full details.
The actions will be non-violent protests against Woolworths selling extinction-causing Tasmanian farmed salmon, with protesters holding banners and handing out flyers to Woolworths customers. If you’re interested in hosting an action at your local Woolworths supermarket, the BBF will provide all the resources and support you need.
“By standing together, we can send a powerful message that selling extinction-causing farmed salmon is unacceptable! ”
BBF supermarket action
It all begins with an idea.
The Bob Brown Foundation held an action against the sale of toxic Tasmanian farmed salmon outside a Hobart supermarket at Hill Street, Sandy Bay on Thursday 3rd October
Enquiries about this action to: Ellen Maddock, Marine Campaign Assistant ellen@bobbrown.org.au
(03) 6294 0620 Level 4, 116 Bathurst Street, Hobart TAS 7000
NOFF members supported this action.
Skate in danger
It all begins with an idea.
Mercury Talking Point 28/09/2024
Shared by TPMP
Tasmanian Atlantic Salmon, The Toxic Truth
A short film on YouTube by Miriam Margolyes as she discovers the Toxic Truth about Tasmanian Atlantic Salmon
Huon aquaculture bought by overseas company
Huon aquaculture sold to overseas company
JBS bought Huon Aquaculture, Australia’s second-biggest salmon farmer, based here on Tasmania’s south coast.
Click on the link below to read an article published in the Guardian newspaper about the Batista brothers of JBS…
Meet the Batistas: the global beef barons battling for control of Australia’s meat
In 2021 JBS bought Huon Aquaculture, Australia’s second-biggest salmon farmer, based here on Tasmania’s south coast.
Click on the link below to read an article published in the ‘Guardian’ about the Batista brothers of JBS.
Meet the Batistas: the global beef barons battling for control of Australia’s meat
Industrial salmon - the truth
The salmon industry placed a full-page advert in the Mercury newspaper. We refuted their claims!
Our advert told The Truth and was placed in the Mercury newspaper as our own full-page advert.
Thanks to everyone who donated to help us fund this!
