For decades the Greens and local communities have been fighting a salmon industry that has brought the marine environment to the brink. The Liberals have finally recognised something must be done.
The Greens welcome Jeremy Rockliff’s announcement of an immediate moratorium on the expansion of the salmon industry, his commitment to making the EPA truly independent, a root and branch review of fish farm laws, and establishing an ecosystems-based Marine Environment Act. These will be done with the stated intention of properly regulating an industry that has done so much unchecked damage to our waterways.
This is, of course, just the beginning. The Greens will do everything we can to make sure the promised review is truly independent and that the new laws and regulations are robust and effective at protecting the environment. The scope and terms of reference of any review must be negotiated with the Greens and other crossbench members who campaigned to clean up fish farming.
We expect to see a formal cancelling of industry expansion into Bass Strait and Storm Bay to protect endangered native species and to stop the devastating impacts industrial farms would cause on sensitive marine ecologies.
We also want Jeremy Rockliff to confirm there will be no ability for companies to increase the number of pens, biomass or stocking levels in existing leases to circumvent the no “spatial expansion” element of the moratorium. Our bays, estuaries and rivers have reached their ecological limits – they can’t cope with any more fish farm pollution.
History tells us to be cautious. The Liberals have an terrible record of inaction on environmental protection. The Liberal government ignored the recommendations of the 2021 Finfish Inquiry, along with the key recommendations of the 2024 State of the Environment Report – all cheerled by Labor.
However, we see this announcement as a potential turning point. It must be.
The Greens have been standing on Tasmania’s shores and beaches with so many communities and organisations, for years and years. And we have always fought hard in Parliament to protect our beautiful marine environment and wildlife from the impacts of industrial salmon farming and the power of global corporates.
In Storm Bay, along the north-west coast, all around the Tasman Peninsula, the Huon and Channel, Macquarie Harbour, Okehampton Bay, Bruny Island and the Southern Beaches we have been standing with local communities against the appalling damage this industry has wrought on marine life and a way of life that is treasured.
This is what having the Greens in balance of power looks like. We have put unrelenting pressure on the Liberal and Labor parties, and now the necessity of working together in this minority Parliament has delivered change.
The Greens want to acknowledge the hard work and involvement of independents Kristie Johnston, Craig Garland and Peter George. This strong, progressive crossbench, working together is already having an effect – we have so much more to do for all Tasmanians.
There is a lot to question and scrutinise in this announcement. We will be working with all of you who care about our marine waterways to hold the Liberals to account on what they have promised.
Our welcoming of this announcement is in no way an endorsement of the Liberals. Their decade-long term of government has left Tasmania worse off environmentally and economically. That said, so far Labor have not shown any openness to hearing the concerns of local communities and scientists about industrial salmon harms.
Today will be another test for Dean Winter. There is still time for Labor to bring tangible environmental changes to the crossbench to consider.
The Greens’ door is always open to work on positive outcomes for Tamanians. We will always stand up for our natural and wild places and local communities.
