Workers filmed 'placing live fish into mort bins'

The national broadcaster ABC (Australian Broadcasting Corporation) says the incident took place at a Huon site following a disease outbreak.

 

Huon Aquaculture says it has launched a "full investigation" and says it is "extremely disappointed" in the actions shown.

 

Broadcaster ABC says the drone images were captured by the environmental campaigners the Bob Brown Foundation at a salmon lease at Zuidpool Rock, near the mouth of the D’Entrecasteaux Channel.

 

The vision shows live salmon among the dead salmon being siphoned out of the pen by workers, with the tub then sealed as salmon continue to move.

 

Huon had earlier announced it was using antibiotics at its Zuidpool lease due to a disease outbreak of rickettsia-like organisms.

 

Huon Aquaculture General Manager David Morehead told the broadcaster that a "full investigation" was underway.

 

He said: "In ordinary circumstances, it is rare for a moribund fish to be pumped during mortality retrieval and, if needed, appropriate euthanasia processes would be followed."

 

The fish are usually stunned prior to slaughter.

 

Salmon farming has become a hot political issue in Australia recently with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese pledging to support the Tasmanian salmon farming industry despite strong environmental criticisms.

 

Anti-fish farming groups have been claiming over the past year that activity around the island is threatening a rare fish known as the Maugean skate.

 

But the federal Premier has written to the salmon industry to guarantee the future of salmon farming in Tasmania’s Macquarie Harbour. 

 

At the same he has also walked into a political row over aquaculture in Tasmania which is sharply dividing opinions.

 

The future of salmon fish farming in the harbour, which in fact is not a traditional harbour but a large semi-inland lake, has been under threat for some time because pf the skate controversy.

 

However, a recent report by the Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies (IMAS) had said Maugean skate populations have stabilised to 2014 levels. 

 

The Prime Minister has written to the salmon industry to confirm federal environmental laws will be introduced that will ensure the continuation of salmon farming operations off Tasmania’s west coast.