Greens call for federal regulator for fish farms

The salmon farming industry in Tasmania has tripled over the past decade and is expected to double again by 2030. However, the Greens state that regulatory failure has resulted in pollution and coastal communities being shut out of decision-making.

It has released a plan for a moratorium on salmon farm expansions in Tasmania until a federal regulator has been established to “provide consistent, effective and transparent laws and oversight of fish farming and aquaculture in Australia”.

Other countries with large and intensive fish farm industries — such as Denmark, the United Kingdom and Canada — have federal regulators, but in Australia they are currently assessed and regulated by state governments. A national survey by the Australia Institute asked 1536 Australians who should assess and regulate fish farms, and federal oversight was the most popular option.

“This is a policy that will give people a greater say in what happens in their local waterways and help look after our marine environment,” Australian Greens Leader Senator Richard Di Natale said.

As well as a single regulator for Australia’s fish farm industries, the plan suggested a National Environmental Protection Agency (NEPA) to enforce federal regulations, which Di Natale said “is long overdue and would deliver greater transparency and less environmental damage”.

According to the plan, the NEPA would be responsible for three broad policy functions: marine farming regulation (including an industry Code of Practice); marine resilience regulation; and marine engagement and stewardship. A Tripartite Working Group (TWG) of government, industry and stakeholders would be an advisory group on aquaculture to the NEPA.

“There should be an immediate moratorium on fish farm expansion in Tasmania until we get the science and regulatory framework right,” said Greens Senator for Tasmania Nick McKim. “Tasmanians want to see the fish farms sector reined in — it’s time for the Commonwealth to step in.”

Image credit: ©stock.adobe.com/au/Exaterina Pokrovsky