The Environment Protection Authority (EPA) has confirmed that fish remains reported at Verona Sands on Christmas Day are not indicative of a mortality event involving farmed salmon.
The EPA received two reports from members of the public on 25 December 2025 of suspected fish remains on the beach at Verona Sands. EPA incident response officers, together with staff from the Department of Natural Resources and Environment Tasmania (NRE Tas) attended the site the same day.
During the inspection, officers located a single specimen of unknown origin. No evidence of significant quantities of fish waste or residue was observed on the beach at that time. The sample was collected for analysis.
A follow-up inspection of Verona Sands beach was undertaken on 26 December 2025 with no additional remains or organic material identified. A frozen sample of the remains observed on 25 December was also provided to the EPA by a member of the public who made the initial report. No further reports have been received.
The specimens were submitted to Analytical Services Tasmania (AST) for laboratory analysis. Testing confirmed that the antibiotic Florfenicol was not detected in the samples tested and that the specimen was likely that of farmed Atlantic salmon.
In addition, the EPA engaged the Institute of Marine and Antarctic Studies (IMAS) to undertake an independent biological assessment of the specimens. IMAS determined the remains were consistent with gastrointestinal tissue from a fish species, most likely originating from one or two relatively small fish. Based on gut mass, the estimated size of the fish was approximately 850 – 1150 grams.
IMAS observed fatty deposits on parts of the gut material that are potentially consistent with cultured Atlantic salmon, aligning with the AST laboratory findings. The condition of the specimens indicated it was not derived from a whole-fish mortality, as substantially greater degradation would be expected in that circumstance.
EPA Director, Catherine Murdoch, said the findings provide reassurance to the community.
“Based on comprehensive scientific analysis by both AST and IMAS, the EPA is confident that the fish remains reported at Verona Sands are not indicative of a mortality event involving farmed salmon," Ms Murdoch said.
“There was no evidence of significant fish waste on the beach, no further material was identified during follow-up inspections, and there have been no further reports from the public."
Ms Murdoch said the EPA will continue to respond promptly to community reports and rely on independent scientific expertise to inform its regulatory decisions.
“We take all reports from the community seriously, and our response demonstrates our commitment to transparent, evidence-based regulation," Ms Murdoch said.
ENDS.
Published on:
9/01/2026