The Tasmanian salmon industry is grappling with an unprecedented crisis as thousands of tonnes of dead fish are being dumped due to a mysterious mass mortality event. This disaster has raised concerns about the sustainability and ethical practices of aquaculture in Tasmania.

Mass Mortality Event Details

In February 2025 alone, over 5,500 tonnes of dead salmon—equivalent to approximately 1.07 million full-grown fish—were discarded at waste facilities around Tasmania.

The environmental group, the Bob Brown Foundation, has initiated an animal welfare probe into the incident.

Salmon Farming in Tasmania

Tasmania’s salmon farming industry is a significant part of its economy, with millions of fish produced annually for local consumption and export markets.

However, this latest crisis has highlighted systemic issues within the industry, including disease outbreaks and environmental pressures.

Potential Impacts

• Animal welfare concerns due to prolonged suffering
• Environmental risks from decomposing fish waste and disease
• Economic losses estimated at hundreds of millions of dollars

Industry and Regulatory Responses

Salmon Tasmania, the industry’s peak body, has apologized for the “unprecedented mortality event” and promised to investigate the causes.

Huon Aquaculture, one of the largest producers affected, has launched a “full investigation” into the outbreak andpledged to implement new safety measures.

Conclusion

The Tasmanian salmon industry faces a critical juncture as it attempts to recover from this devastating event. Stakeholders, including policymakers, environmental groups, and consumers, are calling for greater transparency and accountability within the sector.

Expert warnings suggest that such events could become more frequent due to climate change and the intensification of aquaculture practices.