Moratorium on expansion on finfish farming in Tasmanian and Commonwealth waters

The petition of the undersigned Citizens of Tasmania draws to the attention of the House, the Report of the Legislative Council Committee Inquiry into Finfish Farming in Tasmania which received 225 submissions and made 194 findings and 68 recommendations including:

• A revised Salmon Industry Growth Plan be developed as one aspect of an overarching Marine Plan for Tasmania, through a process that:

            - includes comprehensive stakeholder consultation;

            - is informed by assessment of environmental, social and recreational values; and

            - has a transparent evidence base.

• Ensure a revised Salmon Industry Growth Plan specifies potential fin fish farming areas identified through a process of marine spatial planning and sets an industry growth target for these areas which is transparently developed, sustainable and evidence-based.
  
• Develop a plan, in consultation with industry, scientific and community stakeholders, to reduce inshore fin fish farming sites, with priority given to ceasing operations in sensitive sheltered and biodiverse areas.
• There be no further expansion of the fin fish farming industry in the form of new farming areas or increased stocking limits until the revised Salmon Industry Growth Plan is finalised.

Your petitioners, therefore, request the House to call on the Government to:

(1) Place a moratorium on all finfish farming expansion, including the plans for expansion in northern Tasmanian coastal waters and in Commonwealth controlled waters of Bass Strait, until open, honest and comprehensive public consultation is completed;

(2) Fully consider all 68 recommendations of the Finfish Report: and

(3) Finalise a Salmon Industry Growth Plan.