In accordance with Section 96V of the Environmental Management and Pollution Control Act 1994 (EMPCA), the Minister for Environment and Climate Change makes available to the public the Environmental Standards for Tasmanian Marine Finfish Farming 2023. The Environmental Standards have been made in accordance with Section 96Q of EMPCA, by the Minister and take effect from 18 October 2023.
A companion paper, that provides context and explanatory detail is also available, which is intended to be read alongside the final Environmental Standards.
Both the Environmental Standard and the Companion Paper are published below:
Background
The Environmental Standards have been prepared by the Department of Natural Resources and Environment Tasmania (NRE Tas) in consultation with the Environment Protection Authority (EPA). The EPA is the Authority responsible for implementing the Environmental Standards and regulating the finfish farming industry.
The Environmental Standards are one of a set of aquaculture standards committed to in the Tasmanian Salmon Industry Plan, which are designed to enhance regulation and management of the marine finfish farming industry in Tasmania.
The development of the Environmental Standards has been informed by an international review of environmental management frameworks for salmon farming and how Tasmania compares to other jurisdictions. Research by the Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies (IMAS) and the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) was also considered during the development of the Environmental Standards, ensuring they were appropriate for the local marine environment.
Technical Standards
In accordance with section 96X of EMPCA, the EPA is now drafting the technical standards that are necessary to support these new Environmental Standards.
Information about the drafting and consultation process for technical standards.
Implementation of the Environmental Standards
Offence Provisions
Part 3 of the Environmental Standards for Tasmanian Marine Finfish Farming 2023 introduced a range of Offence Provisions. These came into effect on 18 October 2023, when the Environmental Standards were made by the then Minister for the Environment and Climate Change. Most of the offence provisions will be triggered when the EPA Director issues a written notice invoking the provision.
Many of the Offence Provisions are consistent with Environmental Licence requirements in place prior to the making of the Environmental Standards. There are, however, some new requirements that can be used to address specific issues as required. These include Decomissioning Plans, Light Attenuation Management Plans, investigation of vessel noise, and a new requirement for reports of therapeutant residue monitoring to include an evaluation of the factors contributing to the need for medication.
Summary of Environmental Standard Offence Provisions (applicable to holders of environmental licences, marine farming leases and Permits)
17
| Baseline
Environmental Assessment (BEA) to be undertaken
| Lease/permit
holder must not deploy fish or infrastructure unless BEA report has been
approved.
| Applies only to new leases, permits and dormant (5yrs) lease areas. Note: 'new lease' includes a new part of a lease that has not previously been farmed.
|
18
| BEA1 specifications
| Lease/permit/licence
holder must conduct BEA as specified by the Director.
| The
Director will specify the requirements under section 18(2).
|
20
| Maps
of management zones and monitoring sites
| Requires
provision of adequate maps.
| Where
required by the Director in writing under section 20(2).
|
21
| Environmental
modelling requirements
| Undertake: Modelling must meet the criteria in section 21(2).
| Provide results by a date specified by the Director under section 21(1)(c).
|
23
| BEMP2
| BEMP to be undertaken in accordance with a notice from the Director. The BEMP must be undertaken by a suitably qualified person and reports must be provided to the EPA. Licence holder must provide raw data, videos and information collected to the EPA on request.
| Notice from Director issued under section 23 and determination by the Director under section 11.
|
25
| TPDNO3
| Comply
with TPDNO determination, once specified.
| Determination by the Director under section 25(1). An application for a TPDNO increase of 10% or more will trigger referral to the EPA Board for public assessment.
|
27
| Therapeutants
| Each
notification must contain the information specified under 27(2).
| Triggered by each treatment event. Section 27(1) requires notification prior to medical treatment.
|
28
| Therapeutants
| Residue
monitoring and reporting requirements, see sections 28(1) and 28(2).
| Triggered by the use of antibiotics.
|
30
| Wastewater management
| Release of blackwater and blood water is prohibited under section 30(1). Under section 30(2) reuse and disposal of bloodwater and blackwater must only be to an approved facility.
| This
provision has continuous effect.
|
32
| Light
Attenuation
| Requirements
to prepare, submit and act in accordance with a Light Attenuation Management
Plan (LAMP).
| Notice
in writing by the Director under section 32(1).
|
35
| Noise (Vessel Traffic)
| Requirements for nuisance noise investigation and report.
| Notice in writing by the Director under section 35(1).
|
37
| Decommissioning Plan
| Requirements for provision of a Decommissioning Plan.
| Where
required by
the Director under section 37(2).
|
1 Baseline Environmental Assessment
2 Broadscale Environmental Monitoring Program
3 Total Permissible Dissolved Nitrogen Output
Environmental Standards Conditions
The EPA is currently preparing environmental licence variations to impose those conditions in Part 4 of the Environmental Standards for Tasmanian Marine Finfish Farming 2023 that do not need to have a Technical Standard in place.
Environmental Standards Conditions that do not need to have a Technical Standard in place
58 | Waste Management Plan | To set out requirements for a Waste Management Plan (WMP) to minimise the potential environmental impacts of waste resulting from marine finfish farming. The WMP is to address specified wastes generated during marine finfish farming activities. |
60 | Finfish Mortality | To set out requirements for the removal of dead fish, and the reporting and recording of fish mortalities by licence holders. To provide the Director with timely information on significant mortality events and monthly weight of mortalities. Dead fish arising from fish farming are a controlled waste that, due to the nature of the waste, poses an increased risk of causing environmental harm or environmental nuisance. |
62 | Noise Measurement | To ensure that noise measurements are done in accordance with the Noise Measurement Procedures Manual. |
63 | Noise Limits | To impose limits on noise emissions when measured at Noise Sensitive Premises, with tighter limits applicable to evening and night-time. |
64 | Noise Impact Assessment and Mitigation Plan | To require assessment of noise impacts before the licence holder makes changes that could increase noise nuisance. A Noise Mitigation Plan must be prepared and implemented if the assessment shows that the noise limits could be breached.
|
65 | Noise Surveys | To allow the Director to require a licence holder to conduct a noise survey and to prepare a report that evaluates compliance with the noise limits.
|
The EPA is currently in the process of developing Technical Standards that are necessary to support the remaining conditions in Part 4 of the Environmental Standards for Tasmanian Marine Finfish Farming 2023.