Tasmanian salmon companies claim their products are safe

Tasmanian salmon companies are defending the safety of their products amid allegations regarding the processing of diseased fish. They have not confirmed whether fish with health issues are being sold for human consumption. Recently, a bacterial outbreak led to the death of over 5,500 tonnes of farmed Atlantic salmon in southern Tasmania. This caused oily residues to wash up on local beaches. The Department of Natural Resources and Environment previously stated that the bacteria did not pose a health risk to humans or animals. Independent MP Andrew Wilkie raised concerns at a press conference about documents from Huon Aquaculture. These documents suggest that, during mass fish deaths, as many fish as possible are recovered for processing. The 2014 operating procedure indicated that fish with still-bleeding gills could be deemed recoverable. Huon Aquaculture called the documents outdated and asserted that it only harvests healthy, live fish for human consumption. They emphasized that their processing facilities undergo rigorous safety audits. Despite this, there remains skepticism. Wilkie argues that the old documents still raise serious concerns and calls for an independent inquiry. Consumers deserve transparency regarding the state of the fish they are buying, according to critics. Some lawmakers believe the salmon industry is heavily regulated and trustworthy, while experts like chemistry professor Oliver Jones reassure the public that the specific bacterium affecting the fish is not harmful to humans. The salmon industry's regulatory challenges are gathering attention in Tasmania and could be a significant issue in the upcoming federal elections. Legislative changes to support salmon farming in Macquarie Harbour are being discussed, despite opposition from environmental groups.