Tasmanian Salmon Industry Faces Largest-Ever Fish Mortality Crisis

Over 5,500 tonnes of dead fish, caused by a bacterial outbreak and warmer waters, have raised environmental, regulatory, and sustainability concerns.

The Environment Protection Authority (EPA) confirmed that over 5,500 tonnes of salmon died in February, representing 6% of Tasmania's annual production.
The deaths were attributed to a combination of warmer summer water temperatures and a new strain of the bacterium Piscirickettsia salmonis.
Salmon debris, including fatty globules, has washed up on Tasmanian beaches, prompting clean-up efforts and public health advisories.
Footage of live salmon being inhumanely handled during disposal has sparked investigations by Huon Aquaculture, the EPA, and the RSPCA, with potential consequences for certifications.
Critics, including MPs and environmental groups, have called for stricter regulation and transparency in the industry, while the Tasmanian government insists on accountability from salmon companies.