October 19, 2023
Roger Jensch, Minister of Environment and Climate Change
The Rockliffe Liberal Government has delivered an environmental standard for Tasmanian marine fish farming, providing the state with a world-leading regulatory framework.
Minister for Environment and Climate Change Roger Jensch said the environmental standard would support the long-term sustainability of Tasmania’s salmon industry through best practice in environmental regulation, building on the strong requirements already in place. .
“Environmental standards provide a set of modern environmental regulatory conditions that can be applied consistently across industry over time, providing certainty for Tasmanian industry and communities alike,” Minister Jaensch said.
The Tasmanian Marine Finfish Aquaculture Environmental Standards provide consistent and transparent regulations that apply across the finfish aquaculture industry, including clear standards for:
- protection of coral reefs and seagrass habitats;
- Noise and light emissions from finfish farming activities.
- Actions required of fish farmers if there is evidence of deterioration of seabed ecosystems.
- Nitrogen production (i.e. dissolved nutrients) limits applicable to all finfish farming areas.and
- Requirements for fish farmers to develop and implement waste management plans.
Environmental standards are the first to be finalized since Tasmania’s recent changes. Environmental Management and Pollution Prevention Act 1994 (action).
The government is also working on developing environmental standards for freshwater fish farming under the same law.
Publication of environmental standards is complemented by other recent legislative changes that allow the EPA Administrator to publish monitoring information required by environmental standards.
The introduction of these standards delivers on the priority actions of the Tasmanian Salmon Industry Plan, which commenced on 1 May 2023.
The Rockliffe Liberal Government is sticking to our long-term plans and doing the things that matter to all Tasmanians, and that includes protecting our environment.
Minister Jensch said: “Our government is fully committed to taking our country to a new level and making it a great place to live, work and raise a family.”
Environmental standards for Tasmanian marine finfish farming are available on the Tasmanian Department of Natural Resources and Environment’s website: https://nre.tas.gov.au/aquaculture/industry-strategy-and-innovation/aquaculture-standards/environmental -standards
Other media releases from Roger Jensch
Other media releases from the Minister of Environment and Climate Change
