Download Response from Tasmania`s Department of Primary Industries, Parks

Response from Tasmania’s Department of Primary Industries, Parks, Water and Environment
Can you please confirm how many millions of kilograms of fish feed have been introduced into
Macquarie Harbour by Huon Aquaculture, Tassal and Petuna Seafoods in the past 12 months?
For the 12 month period between October 2015 and September 2016 a total of 21,643 tonnes of
feed has been input to stocked cages in marine farming leases across Macquarie Harbour.
Information on historic monthly feed inputs is available at http://dpipwe.tas.gov.au/sea-fishingaquaculture/marine-farming-aquaculture.
What steps are being taken to deal with the build-up of excess feed and faeces in Macquarie
Harbour?
The ongoing environmental regulation of salmon farming in Macquarie Harbour is now managed by
the EPA in accordance with Management Controls prescribed in the Macquarie Harbour Marine
Farming Development plan and marine farming licence conditions.
Have all three companies submitted their mass mortality plans for Macquarie Harbour? Does the
department believe another mass mortality event is likely in Macquarie Harbour?
This is a matter for the EPA.
Why was the biomass limit in Macquarie Harbour increased in 2015 and again in 2016? Are there
plans to lift it again?
As previously advised a biomass cap was set by the Secretary in October 2015 which provided for a
maximum standing biomass of 20150 tonnes. A further biomass decision was made in April 2016
which provides for a maximum standing biomass of 21500 tonnes. These decisions were informed by
a range of environmental and other scientific data as described in the Macquarie Harbour status
report (http://dpipwe.tas.gov.au/sea-fishing-aquaculture/marine-farming-aquaculture). It is
important to note that this biomass limit is well under the maximum biomass considered in the
development of the MFDP, which was in excess of 29000 tonnes.
Is the department or another government agency carrying out a baseline data study and a water
temperature study in Okehampton Bay?
The independent Marine Farming Planning Review Panel is undertaking an assessment of the science
underpinning the environmental management of salmon farming at Okehampton Bay.