Aquaculture, like all forms of farming, can have environmental impacts through the introduction of nutrients into surrounding ecosystems. That is why Salmon Tasmania supports ongoing, science-based monitoring and rigorous environmental assessment across farming operations.
Salmon farming in Tasmania has been studied extensively for more than 30 years, with scientific research examining potential impacts including seabed conditions, near-farm environments, and broader water quality changes. Member companies undertake a range of environmental monitoring activities to meet regulatory requirements, support compliance, inform internal management, and contribute to collaborative research programs.
As part of marine farming licence conditions, farming leases are regularly fallowed to support the recovery and long-term health of the seafloor beneath pens. All marine farming and environmental licence conditions are publicly available through the Tasmanian Government’s LISTmap portal: LISTmap
Since 2009, the Broadscale Environmental Monitoring Program(BEMP) has monitored a wide range of indicators relating to water quality and seafloor health in and around Tasmanian salmon farming regions. Sediment sampling is undertaken annually, while water quality monitoring occurs monthly or fortnightly depending on the season.
The program operates under the oversight of Tasmania’s Environment Protection Authority (EPA), with independent scientific review provided by the Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies (IMAS). To date, the program has found no evidence of broadscale environmental harm attributable to the aquaculture industry.
BEMP reports are publicly available through the Tasmania EPA website.
For more than 30 years, Tasmania’s marine environment and salmon farming operations have been extensively researched and monitored by leading scientific organisations. Ongoing investment in research and innovation continues to support best practice farming and helps position Tasmania’s salmon industry as a global leader in sustainable aquaculture.
Research and development (R&D) has been central to the Tasmanian salmon industry since its earliest days. In the industry’s formative years, Salmon Enterprises of Tasmania (SALTAS) funded research through a levy on smolt sales and the operation of a model sea farm at Dover. This commitment to science and innovation has contributed to hundreds of published scientific papers, reports, and conference proceedings focused on aquaculture, fish health, environmental management, and operational practices.
The industry has also maintained a long-standing partnership with the Fisheries Research and Development Corporation (FRDC), committing funding to collaborative research initiatives since the early 1990s. Over that time, tens of millions of dollars have been invested into research projects involving industry, universities, CSIRO, and other scientific institutions.
Tasmania’s salmon industry has participated in several major Cooperative Research Centres (CRCs), including the Aquaculture CRC, Aquafin CRC, Seafood CRC, and Blue Economy CRC, helping drive innovation and scientific understanding across the broader seafood and aquaculture sectors.
In addition to industry-wide initiatives, member companies undertake their own internal research and development programs to support evidence-based decision-making and continuous improvement across farming operations.
Information about R&D undertaken across the Tasmanian salmon industry can be sourced from multiple independent sources including:
