Arabic version: منظمة «أنيمالز أستراليا» تطالب بالتحقيق في رفاهية السلمون
According to ABC News, Animals Australia has asked Biosecurity Tasmania to immediately investigate alleged animal welfare breaches by Tasmania’s Atlantic salmon farming industry. Its complaint names Huon Aquaculture, Tassal Group and Petuna Aquaculture, alleging conduct that contravenes the state’s Animal Welfare Act.
The organisation says current and past farming practices have caused prolonged pain, suffering, injury and death to salmon. It cited mass mortality events, fin clipping without anaesthetic, feed withdrawal of up to 72 hours before handling, transport or slaughter, and conditions including warm, low-oxygen and disease-prone waters. The complaint alleges breaches of sections covering duty of care, management, cruelty and aggravated cruelty.
Animals Australia also raised concerns about slaughter practices. Its complaint says Atlantic salmon are typically slaughtered through percussive stunning followed by gill cutting and bleeding, and that ineffective or incomplete stunning could leave fish conscious or allow them to regain consciousness during bleeding. Tasmania’s Department of Natural Resources and Environment said it had received the complaint and the matter was currently being considered.
From January to April 2025, a bacterial disease, Piscirickettsia salmonis, caused mass salmon deaths in pens in south-east Tasmanian waters. Data reported to the Environment Protection Authority showed nearly 15,000 tonnes of dead salmon went to waste facilities during that period. Animals Australia said the event warranted further investigation, while a Tasmanian government multi-agency debrief identified challenges in coordinating the response, waste logistics and disease detection.
Salmon Tasmania, responding for the companies, said growers were heavily regulated and had legal and ethical obligations to maximise animal welfare. Chief executive officer Dr John Whittington said fish health was managed by qualified veterinarians and dedicated fish health teams, and described the claims as recycled and false allegations. Animals Australia is also seeking an investigation into alleged harm to seals, dolphins, seabirds and other wildlife linked to salmon farming operations.
