Dr WOODRUFF question to MINISTER for BUSINESS, INDUSTRY and RESOURCES, Mr ABETZ
Jeff Baker is a fly fisher who has been visiting Tasmania for 30 years. The Tasmanian Inquirer reports that what he has discovered about the South Esk River has shocked him. The river appears to him to be biologically dead with few fish, no insect life and highly acidic water.
Further investigation shows the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) had access to alarming water quality results downstream from the Millybrook Salmon Farm but did nothing with them. The pathetically weak conditions in Millybrook’s environmental licence have no limits on smolt production, no monitoring requirements and no reporting on water quality impacts required. Recommendation 45 of the Legislative Council’s Finfish Inquiry proposes tightening licence requirements on all flow‑through hatcheries in Tasmania.
Will you require water monitoring above and below all salmon hatchery operations to track their impact on rivers, and will you tighten Millybrook’s licence conditions and make information publicly available?
ANSWER
Honourable Speaker, as I understand the situation, these licensing matters are largely to do with the EPA and the minister for the Environment. We have indicated very clearly that in relation to flow‑through hatcheries, we want to see them recycle as they are doing down in the Huon, but we will not be forcing that issue. We will allow that to continue organically as the sector continues to develop and come to grips with some of the issues. The specific details in relation to the South Esk and water monitoring is not something that I have a brief on, but I will see if the minister for the Environment is willing to provide further information.
SUPPLEMENTARY QUESTION
Dr WOODRUFF – A supplementary question, Speaker?
The SPEAKER – I will hear the supplementary question.
Dr WOODRUFF – A supplementary on the fact that the minister would speak to the other minister about providing that information: Will you ask the question and get the information about whether water monitoring will be undertaken on all rivers in Tasmania, above and below where there are salmon hatcheries?
The SPEAKER – I think the minister probably went close to the answer, but I will call the minister.
Mr ABETZ – I can find that out for the member.
The SPEAKER – I note both matters were taken on notice.
