Tasmania’s Marine Farming Regulatory Framework, and how to improve it

This article outlines some of the criticisms of the current Tasmanian system, reviews the regulatory frameworks in other marine farming countries, and recommends changes to move Tasmania towards a best practice model.

Organisation Address: 131 Macquarie Street, Hobart, TAS, 7000, Australia

Phone: (03) 6223 2770

Web Address: http://www.edotas.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/Improving-Tasmanias-Marine-Farming-Framework.pdf

Link Owner: Environmental Defenders Office

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Finfish Farming Environmental Regulation Act 2017

Since 1 July 2016, the Director of the Environment Protection Authority (EPA) has been delegated responsibilities for managing environmental impacts of finfish farms under the LMRMA and MFPA. The Act creates direct regulatory powers under EMPCA, officially giving the EPA Director responsibility for environmental regulation of finfish farms.

Organisation Address: 131 Macquarie Street, Hobart, TAS, 7000, Australia

Phone: (03) 6223 2770

Web Address: http://www.edotas.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/Factsheet-Finfish-Farming-Environmental-Regulation-Bill-20171.pdf

Link Owner: Environmental Defenders Office

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Fisheries and Marine Protection

Recent years have seen rapid changes to marine protection laws after a long history of neglect. Marine areas are used for many purposes and, because it is often difficult to clearly identify marine boundaries, protection laws are complex and administered by a wide variety of bodies and statutes.

Organisation Address: 131 Macquarie Street, Hobart, TAS, 7000, Australia

Phone: (03) 6223 2770

Web Address: http://www.edotas.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/ELH-4th-edition-Chapter-9.pdf

Link Owner: Environmental Defenders Office

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Salmon Aquaculture

Salmon aquaculture has undergone a significant expansion in Tasmania since the 1990s, largely driven by consumer demand, and this is expected to increase over the next twenty years. The industry growth must be managed sustainably, and while development assessments are undertaken in a separate government process, the EPA is responsible for the day to day environmental regulation of the salmon

Organisation Address: 134 Macquarie Street, Hobart, TAS, 7000, Australia

Phone: (03) 6233 6518

Web Address: http://epa.tas.gov.au/regulation/salmon-aquaculture

Link Owner: Environment Protection Authority Tasmania

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Sustainable Industry Growth Plan for the Salmon Industry

The Government has now issued the final version  of the Sustainable Industry Growth Plan, having considered the feedback it received through the seven-week public consultation period that closed on 29 Septem​​ber 2017.

Organisation Address: 1 Franklin Wharf, Hobart, TAS, 7000, Australia

Phone: (03) 6169 9021

Web Address: http://dpipwe.tas.gov.au/sea-fishing-aquaculture/marine-farming-aquaculture/changes-to-salmon-industry-regulation/salmon-industry-growth-plan

Link Owner: Tasmanian Government

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