The Aquaculture Stewardship Council’s (ASC) decision to refuse Tassal’s application to use explosive deterrents on native fur seals is a win for wildlife, and vindicates all who have called for an end to this cruel practice.
Tassal have shamelessly used tens of thousands of ‘seal bombs’ for years, despite not having approval from the ASC. The fact their application to validate this practice has been denied by the ASC shows how appalling the company’s behaviour has been.
No other country with an ASC stamp for farming salmon uses explosives as a method to deter wildlife. Tassal should travel overseas and visit global best practice farming operations and employ worker safety methods that don’t maim and kill protected wildlife.
The Tasmanian government has had no appetite to protect marine wildlife, and has chosen at every turn to maximise the profits of multinational salmon corporations. However, surely even they can’t ignore this decision.
Tassal has used vast numbers of explosives and lead shot pellets on Australian fur seals for years, without authorisation from the ASC. The industrial fish-farming business model is built on exploiting Tasmania’s waterways, and under the Liberals these companies have been given free rein to do whatever they want.
The impacts on the marine environment are extreme, with seals killed and maimed, and the Maugean skate on the brink of extinction.
The only way to move to a sustainable industry is to operate on land, and regulate the pollution. Until that happens, the Liberal Government needs strict rules to stop Tassal continuing to cruelly attack native seals and pollute the environment.
