The cause of death of 1,149 tonnes of Tasmanian farmed salmon not reported. A critical examination:
Discover how Macquarie Harbour, a vital aquatic ecosystem, mirrors an industrial wasteland underwater. Our latest findings reveal a shocking die-off of 1,149 tonnes of Tasmanian farmed salmon, a symptom of a much larger crisis.
What's Happening? Like a battery chicken shed but underwater, salmon pens at Macquarie Harbour are accumulating approximately 5,000 tonnes of waste annually with little tidal flow to cleanse the seabed. The result? Oxygen-depleted dead zones where marine life can barely survive.
Root Cause Analysis Current mitigation efforts, including air diffusers and nano-bubble technology, barely scratch the surface of the underlying issue—the unsustainable waste accumulation turning the harbour into an aquatic sewer.
A Call for Sustainable Practices It's time to rethink aquaculture practices. Drawing on global experiences and past agricultural reforms, we propose a comprehensive waste management system to ensure the survival of our marine ecosystems and the aquaculture industry.
Implications for Industry Standards We advocate for the application of stringent environmental standards seen in terrestrial farming to be extended to marine aquaculture. The potential benefits? Enhanced environmental stewardship and a boost in employment and innovation.
Read more about our critical examination and the urgent reforms needed in the full article linked below: