Mandatory reporting to the Environment Protection Authority (EPA) by salmon companies shows 6,300 tonnes of mortality waste was generated across all Tasmanian marine finfish farms during February 2025. The EPA is releasing statewide mortality data for February to allow the community to better understand the scale of the unprecedented mortality event that unfolded in the lower D’Entrecasteaux Channel during that month.
Based on data provided by the salmon companies, and verified with preliminary data sourced from facilities approved and regulated by the EPA to receive salmon mortalities for processing, treatment, or disposal, it is estimated that ninety-five per cent of mortalities (or approximately 5,985 tonnes) was diverted to a form of reuse, such as rendering, land spreading of ensiled waste as fertiliser on farms, composting, or shallow burial for subsequent reuse on farms. Only five per cent of mortality waste was directed to permanent burial in a landfill in February.
Almost eighty percent (approximately 4,950 tonnes) of total mortality waste was either directed to EPA-regulated ensilage facilities at Oatlands, Electrona and Hideaway Bay or rendered at a facility in Triabunna also regulated by the EPA. Rendering is a process which recovers fish oil and fish meal for reuse, typically in animal feed products.
EPA Acting CEO and Director, Cindy Ong, said land spreading of ensiled mortality waste is typically authorised by local councils.
“The EPA and Biosecurity Tasmania have been working with the Southern Midlands Council, including undertaking joint inspections of the ensiling facility and associated land spreading on agricultural land near Oatlands. The EPA has also inspected the ensilage facilities at Electrona and Hideaway Bay” said Ms Ong.
Approximately 8 percent (479 tonnes) of February mortality waste was directed to a commercial composting facility near Interlaken, which is also regulated, and has been recently inspected, by the EPA. The remainder of the tonnage sent for reuse was diverted to shallow burial sites near Bothwell, Ouse, and Forcett, each approved by the relevant council.
Last week, EPA officers viewed live underwater and surface footage of pens in the southern Channel area. Large accumulations of deceased or decomposing fish were not observed indicating containment of mortality waste is being achieved. The EPA is continuing its regular compliance inspections of marine fish farms and shore bases that receive mortality waste. Where practicable, these inspections are being conducted jointly with Biosecurity Tasmania.
“The EPA has commenced its independent environmental monitoring program, with sediment sampling for antibiotic residues occurring on 20 March 2025 at Conleys Beach and Jetty Beach on Bruny Island, and Verona Sands Beach and Roaring Beach in the Southern D’Entrecasteaux Channel,” said Ms Ong.
Sampling and testing of water quality and wild fish for antibiotics will take place later this week.
Public reports of oil globules appearing on shorelines have declined, with the last new report received 17 March 2025.
The public is reminded to notify the EPA of any oil globules observed along a shoreline by calling the EPA pollution hotline on 1800 005 171 or online via the Make a Report page.
Published on:
25/03/2025