Tasmanian Salmon Industry Launches 'Truth' Campaign Amidst Antibiotic and Fish Death Scrutiny

The salmon industry in Tasmania, a vital part of the state's economy, is fighting back against mounting criticism with a new advertising blitz. Dubbed "Tasmanians Depend on Salmon," the campaign aims to present the "truth of our industry" directly to the public, as stated by Salmon Tasmania chief executive John Whittington.

This initiative comes at a critical time, as the industry grapples with a severe outbreak of bacterial disease that has led to the deaths of over 9,000 tonnes of farmed salmon in the first quarter of the year. The use of the antibiotic florfenicol, approved to combat the disease Piscirickettsia salmonis, has drawn particular attention, especially after its permit was revoked due to low-level detection in other species.

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wanted to make sure the truth of our industry … is out there for people to make their own judgements on

While environmental groups call for a complete removal of fish farms, Salmon Tasmania emphasizes the significant economic contribution of the industry, highlighting over $3.5 billion spent on Tasmanian suppliers in the past five years. The campaign, featuring workers from various sectors connected to salmon farming, seeks to build public understanding and support by showcasing the livelihoods that depend on this controversial but economically crucial industry. From a Tasmanian perspective, this is not just about defending an industry; it's about defending the jobs and communities that rely on it, often in regional areas where alternative employment is scarce.

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We are just really keen that the Tasmanian community gets to understand the industry a bit more and hears the stories of people who work directly in the industry.