It was divulged in Budget Estimates some 700kg of the antibiotic florfenicol has been released into the D’Entrecasteaux Channel by salmon farming companies in less than two weeks. It’s likely just the tip of the iceberg, according to the permit granted for the antibiotic’s use.
Under the permit granted by the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Management Authority for use of florfenicol, between 5,600kg and 11,200kg can be used up to August 2026. If applied at the higher dose allowed, it would be nearly double the amount of antibiotics used across Tasmanian salmon farms over the last six years.
It’s a shocking amount of antibiotics that could be dumped in Tasmanian waterways. With summer only weeks away and the disease plaguing farmed salmon likely to spread, it’s highly likely companies will increase their antibiotic use under this permit.
The salmon farming industry is happy to pollute the marine environment for a profit, instead of taking the actions needed to prevent disease spread – destocking pens. Tasmanians will rightly be questioning what effect these high levels of florfenicol will have on their local marine environment, and the communities that rely on it.
Use of the antibiotic florfenicol by salmon farming corporations has already shut down the rock lobster export industry in the Channel. Recreational fishers have been advised to not fish within 3km of a treatment site if they’re worried about antibiotic residues.
The Liberal Government should demand fish farm companies destock diseased salmon pens instead of treating them with antibiotics and effectively locking Tasmanian fishers out of public waterways. It’s time the Premier made good on his promise to put the salmon farming companies “on notice”.
