Treasure Bruny Island

Bruny is like a distillation of what’s best about Tasmania.

Industrial salmon farms are popping up all round Bruny. Help us treasure Bruny – and tell Premier Hodgman he needs to act for everyone – not just big salmon companies.

Dear Premier Hodgman and members of the Marine Farming Review Panel,
I am very concerned that the development plan governing industrial salmon farming expansion off Bruny Island was written in 1998 and by a salmon industry applicant.  
I believe there is an urgent need for the Tasmanian Government to conduct an open and transparent review of this development plan before approving the operation of any additional salmon farms. This review process should reflect contemporary scientific research on aquaculture best-practice and respect the rights of other coastal users - like the tourism industry, local communities and recreational fishers.
Unfortunately, the Storm Bay and Bruny Island Marine Farm Development Plan is not the only development plan which is antiquated. Many plans - like the plan guiding Tassal's expansion at Okehampton Bay, are up to 20 years old.
To future-proof this industry, it is essential for the public to have confidence in its regulation. Any expansion of the industry should be assessed by independent government regulations which respect the findings of independent, contemporary science and the rights of other coastal industries and communities.
I believe that to gaurantee a social licence for the industry, future developments need to be on land, or offshore - in areas that don't interfere with other tourism, recreational fishing and community uses.
Please protect the treasures of Bruny Island and Tasmania's valuable coastline and govern for all industries and communities - not just big salmon companies. Bringing the industry up to best-practice will require more infrastructure and create more jobs - as well as protecting our coastal environment and delivering the industry the social licence it needs to operate.

bruny_island

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