tassal seeks to expand salmon lease for growth

http://www.media.tas.gov.au/release.php?id=33639

Comment Sought on Expansion of Salmon Farms

The Minister for Primary Industries and Water Bryan Green said today public feedback was being sought on a proposal to increase the area available for salmon farming on Tasmania’s West Coast.
Mr Green said Tasmanian salmon growers were seeking to increase the lease area in Macquarie Harbour to facilitate further expansion of the industry.

“The rapid rise of Tasmania’s aquaculture industry has been a great success story and the potential for further growth is extremely positive news for the Tasmanian economy.

Mr Green said the value of salmon production increased by $250 million over the past five years, growing by almost $1 million a week.

“Last year the industry produced over 30,000 tonnes of fish and now employs around 1000 people

Mr Green said the expansion plans at Macquarie Harbour were in line with the industry’s strategic plan to double the total salmon production in Tasmania by 2030.

The Minister for Economic Development, David O’Byrne, also acknowledged the importance of the industry to the state.

“The salmon industry is identified as a priority sector in the states’ Economic Development Plan, contributing some $152 million to Gross State Product," Mr O'Byrne said.

Mr Green said Tassal Operations Pty Ltd, Huon Aquaculture Group Pty Ltd and Petuna Aquaculture Group Pty Ltd were proposing to extend the salmon lease from 564 hectares to 926 hectares taking the total marine farming area from two to 3.3 per cent of Macquarie Harbour.

“The three companies supported their request with an environmental impact statement,” Mr Green said.

The marine farming planning process allows for any interested persons to have their views on the Draft Amendment considered.

The Draft Amendment and accompanying environmental impact statement can be viewed on request from 12 November 2011 to 22 December 2011 at the Strahan Post Office in Strahan, at the West Coast Council Chambers in Queenstown, or at the Marine Farming Branch of the Department of Primary Industries, Parks, Water and Environment (DPIPWE), 4th Floor, 1 Franklin Wharf, Hobart. It will also be available on the DPIPWE website at http://www.dpipwe.tas.gov.au

An electronic version of the Draft Amendment and accompanying environmental impact statement can also be obtained on CD from the Marine Farming Branch by phoning 03 6233 3370.

Written representations will be considered by the independent and expertise-based Marine Farming Planning Review Panel established under the Marine Farming Planning Act 1995.

Instructions on how to make a representation are provided in the Draft Amendment and should be submitted by 22 December 2011.
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Good stuff. When so many companies on the ASX are flogging off assets to survive tough times, our Tassal is seeking to develop and grow "in line with the industry’s strategic plan to double the total salmon production in Tasmania by 2030."

Nice work, Tassal- EIS completed also.