The Greens stood with hundreds from coastal communities at a rally outside Parliament against the renewal of salmon farming licences in Long Bay. The renewal of these licences epitomise everything that is broken about the Rockliff Government’s marine environment laws, which continue despite the evidence of harm to put fish farm profits first.
Tasman Peninsula residents have seen the effect of fish farms on this shallow, fragile ecosystem. Scientists warned nine years ago that algal growth, spurred by nutrients from fish farms, would devastate rocky reefs and seagrass beds. Unfortunately, the community and independent scientists have recorded that’s exactly what has happened.
Despite this evidence, the EPA renewed farming licenses for 16 enormous salmon pens in Long Bay and surrounding areas. The EPA is supposed to protect the environment, not allow salmon farms to profit while the environment is destroyed. It’s a complete failure of government regulation.
The Parliamentary Inquiry into Fish Farm five years ago recommended removing fish farms from inshore, sensitive areas. Yet the Liberal Government and EPA still allow salmon farms to wreak havoc in areas like Long Bay.
The community has condemned the EPA’s decision to allow salmon farming to continue in Long Bay. Unlike the Liberals, the Greens will keep fighting for salmon farming regulations that actually protect the marine environment.
