Bob Brown Foundation has welcomed formal complaints by Animals Australia calling for an investigation into potential breaches of Tasmania’s animal welfare laws by the state’s salmon farming industry. The complaints, lodged with Biosecurity Tasmania, raise serious questions about the treatment of farmed Atlantic salmon and the injury and deaths of seals, dolphins, seabirds and other wildlife affected by salmon farming operations.

“Animals Australia has raised serious questions that deserve a proper investigation. The industrial salmon industry has not been held accountable to the Animal Welfare Act 1993 (Tas) for far too long,” said Ellen Maddock, Bob Brown Foundation Marine campaign organiser.

“It is appalling that it has taken community action for these significant questions to be raised. Biosecurity Tasmania need to address Animals Australia’s formal complaints in a timely manner.”

“As reported, from 2021 to 2025 the salmon industry has been responsible for the death of 62 Australian Fur Seals, 13 cetaceans, and 174 birds. It is high time Tassal, Huon Aquaculture and Petuna are held accountable for their shocking industrial fish farming practices,” said Ellen Maddock.