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Salmon deaths at 'eye-watering' levels in Macquarie Harbour

Salmon deaths at 'eye-watering' levels in Macquarie Harbour

Almost 2,000 tonnes of farmed salmon died over a 15-month period in Macquarie Harbour on Tasmania’s west coast, new data shows.

It's been revealed that almost 2,000 tonnes of salmon died in Macquarie Harbour over a 15-month period.

Salmon Tasmania says it equates to about 8 per cent of fish farmed there during that time.

The EPA is yet to issue new licences for companies to continue operating in the harbour.

Almost 2,000 tonnes of farmed salmon died over a 15-month period in Macquarie Harbour on Tasmania's west coast, new data shows.

The Environment Protection Authority's (EPA) mortality data was obtained by conservation group Environment Tasmania, which submitted the Right to Information (RTI) request in December last year.

But it took until this week for the information to be made public after salmon companies sought reviews of the EPA's decision to release the data, as they are entitled to do under RTI laws.

The data shows a total of 1,907 tonnes of farmed salmon died in the harbour between October 2024 and December 2025.

"Salmon has no place in Macquarie Harbour," Environment Tasmania campaigner Jess Coughlan said.

Industry group Salmon Tasmania said up to 9,500 tonnes of salmon can be farmed in the harbour each year under a feed cap.

Environment Tasmania said this would infer about 15 per cent of the total maximum haul died over the 15-month period.

In brief

It's been revealed that almost 2,000 tonnes of salmon died in Macquarie Harbour over a 15-month period. Almost 2,000 tonnes of farmed salmon died over a 15-month period in Macquarie Harbour on Tasmania's west coast, new data shows. "Salmon has no place in Macquarie Harbour," Environment Tasmania campaigner Jess Coughlan said. Industry group Salmon Tasmania said up to 9,500 tonnes of salmon can be farmed in the harbour each year under a feed cap.

This is the opening of the story, shared with credit to ABC News Australia. The rest of the report — with every detail — continues on the publisher’s website.

Continue reading at ABC News Australia ↗

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