Animal welfare group calls for investigation into Tasmanian salmon industry

The animal welfare organisation has lodged a complaint with Biosecurity Tasmania arguing that the salmon companies have breached sections 6 (duty of care), 7 (management of animals), 8 (cruelty to animals) and 9 (aggravated cruelty) of the state's Animal Welfare Act.

“Over many years, millions of salmon have been dying prematurely amidst disease outbreaks, warming sea temperatures and animal welfare incidents,” said Shatha Hamade, legal counsel for Animals Australia. She noted that salmon are protected under the Act, which defines an animal as a live vertebrate that is not a human being, with no exemptions for the salmon industry.

“If four million land animals — say cattle — died prematurely in this manner, there would be outrage. There would be regulatory intervention,” Hamade said. “Just because these fish are suffering underneath the water does not mean that their suffering is not real.”

The complaint details several specific practices. Fin clipping (removing the adipose fin) for traceability purposes is performed without anaesthetic, which Animals Australia says breaches the Act. The organisation also argues that routinely withdrawing feed for up to 72 hours before handling, transport or slaughter is another breach. Current slaughter, stunning and bleeding practices are also cited as potential violations.

Animals Australia further contends that keeping salmon in warm, low-oxygen and disease-prone waters leads to “foreseeable pain, suffering and death”. The complaint states that stocking density, biomass and environmental conditions within each cage directly adversely affect fish welfare.

The organisation is urging Biosecurity Tasmania to launch an immediate investigation into the companies' practices.

Why This Matters

The complaint raises questions about whether existing animal welfare laws adequately protect farmed fish, which are often overlooked in welfare debates.
Tasmania's Atlantic salmon industry is a significant economic sector, and any regulatory action could have major implications for production practices and consumer confidence.
The outcome could set a precedent for how aquaculture operations across Australia are regulated under animal welfare legislation.

Background

Tasmania's Atlantic salmon farming industry is a major employer and economic contributor to the state. Salmon are raised in open-ocean pens in waters around the state. The industry has faced previous scrutiny over environmental impacts, including concerns about disease, sea lice, and the effects of warmer sea temperatures. The Animal Welfare Act 1993 (Tas) covers all live vertebrate animals, including fish, but the application of the Act to commercial aquaculture has been a subject of debate.

Key Perspectives

Animals Australia: Argues that the salmon companies are systematically violating the Animal Welfare Act through practices that cause pain and suffering to millions of fish. The organisation wants Biosecurity Tasmania to enforce the law and hold companies accountable. Salmon farming companies (Huon, Tassal, Petuna): No public response has been reported to the complaint. The industry has previously defended its practices, noting that fin clipping is a common traceability method and that feed withdrawal before slaughter follows standard protocols designed to minimise stress. Regulators (Biosecurity Tasmania): The agency has not yet commented on the complaint. It will need to assess whether the allegations fall within the scope of the Animal Welfare Act and whether an investigation is warranted.

What to Watch

Biosecurity Tasmania's response — whether it opens an investigation and how quickly.
Any statements from Huon, Tassal or Petuna addressing the specific allegations.
Potential changes to industry practices or regulatory standards for fin clipping, feed withdrawal, and slaughter methods.

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