Almost 1,800 bombs have been used on protected fur seals by salmon farming companies in the first half of this year, according to new government data. This is shocking animal cruelty on an industrial scale, and the Liberal Government has to intervene and stop it continuing.
Huon Aquaculture has used nearly two thirds of these 1,800 seal bombs. Tassal also used 31 lead shot pellets against seals on the Tasman Peninsula in the first half of this year.
Four fur seals died in the same period, with two caught in salmon pens, one hit by a boat, and another dying after attempts to relocate it. At least four birds died, and another was injured.
It brings the total number of explosive bombs used by salmon farms in the last ten years to more than 150,000. Since the start of 2021, at least 48 seals have died at salmon farms.
The Liberals are allowing legalised animal cruelty on an industrial scale. Practices that distress, maim and kill native wildlife are a routine part of salmon farming operations. This has been happening for years, and it is totally unacceptable.
Wildlife entanglements, the use of explosive bombs and lead shots were among the reasons why Animals Australia recently lodged complaints against salmon farming companies for breaches of the Animal Welfare Act. The Liberals are failing to enforce it.
Salmon farming corporations have shown they’re more than happy to treat Tasmania’s waterways and wildlife as dispensable, in their quest to maximise their profits. Our wildlife should be able to swim free from the threat of violence and death in rivers and bays.
The Liberals need to end the state-sanctioned shooting and bombing of Tasmanian wildlife by salmon farms and enforce the Animal Welfare Act.
