Salmon Aquaculture

​​​​​​​EPA Tasmania is responsible for the environmental regulation of marine and land based salmon farms in Tasmania. Regulatory activity involves issue of environmental licences, assessing compliance against environmental license conditions, reviewing associated environmental monitoring data and reports, and requiring fish farmers to undertake management actions where environmental issues are identified arising from fish farming activity. The EPA also has a role in the assessment process for new finfish farm developments.

The Tasmanian salmon industry has been operating since the 1980s and has experienced significant change and expansion in the last 20 years. Salmonid species currently commercially farmed in Tasmania include Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) and rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss).

To ensure progressive improvement of environmental management and regulatory systems for industry the EPA provides scientific input and support to aquaculture research conducted by the Institute of Marine and Antarctic Studies (UTas) and Fisheries Research and Development Corporation fish farm research projects. The outputs of scientific research and environmental modelling are used by the EPA to support and develop the regulatory framework.​

  • Industry Regulation
    To manage potential for environmental impact from finfish farming activities, EPA utilizes best practice environmental management and regulation to ensure impacts on inland waters and the marine environment are reduced to an acceptable level and the health of the environment is protected.
  • Land Based Finfish Farms
    The EPA regulates land based finfish farms producing salmonids (salmon and trout) at various locations throughout Tasmania including Port Huon, Cressy, Derwent River, Huon River, Russell River and Tyenna River. Most are hatcheries producing smolt (juvenile salmon) for marine based finfish farms.
  • Marine Based Finfish Farms
    The EPA regulates finfish farming in Tasmanian State coastal waters. Finfish farming is conducted in six regions of the State: • D'Entrecasteaux Channel, Huon River estuary and Port Esperance • Tasman Peninsula and Norfolk Bay • Storm Bay • Macquarie Harbour. • Tamar Estuary • Okehampton Bay in Mercury Passage on the east coast
  • EPA Independent Monitoring
    The EPA conducts independent monitoring of water quality and other parameters in some marine based farming regions. Further information is available on the Monitoring Program page​.​