Tasmanians deserve clean, healthy oceans — not antibiotics in our fish

Environment Tasmania is deeply concerned by the recent warning from the Department of Health advising people not to eat wild fish caught near salmon pens being treated with antibiotics.

Rebecca Howarth, Senior Marine Campaigner at Environment Tasmania, says:

“The approval of florfenicol raises deeply concerning questions about its unknown impacts on Tasmania’s marine environment.”

“To monitor after the event is completely inadequate. Tasmanian communities deserve transparency and precaution when it comes to what’s being released into our shared waters. Tasmanians want healthy oceans that support abundant marine life, thriving fisheries, and coastal lifestyles — not industrial shortcuts that risk all three.”

Jess Coughlan, Save the Skate Campaigner at Environment Tasmania, says:

"The future of recreational fishing and use of our public waterways is looking bleak.  Fishers and families out for a weekend catch should not have to be on high alert all summer for antibiotics notices.  These are Tasmanians' public waterways and if what happens within leased areas cannot be contained, then it simply should not be allowed by the regulator."

"The use of Tasmanian public waterways are intrinsic to our island life and they should be healthy.  Mismanagement of disease and intensively farmed introduced species such Atlantic salmon is an issue that must be addressed and remedied, not medicated at the expense of our precious waterways and marine life."

For comment or further information:
Rebecca Howarth — Senior Marine Campaigner, Environment Tasmania
0493 395868 | [email protected]