'Huge amount' of antibiotics at salmon farm concerning, say Greens, expert
More than 2.7 tonnes of the antibiotic florfenicol were used at a single Tasmanian salmon farm lease over two months, sparking concern from health experts and the Greens over environmental and public health risks. Despite the permit being revoked after traces were found in wild shellfish, the total amount used across all nine leases remains undisclosed. Authorities and regulators have not released comprehensive data, raising criticism over transparency. The salmon industry continues to seek alternative pathways to use the antibiotic amid ongoing disease challenges.
- ▪The Tasmanian EPA reported over 2.7 tonnes of florfenicol used at the Zuidpool lease between November and December, a quantity described as 'huge' by experts.
- ▪Traces of florfenicol were detected in wild shellfish over 10 kilometres away, leading to the revocation of the permit for its use.
- ▪The Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority (APVMA) holds data on total florfenicol use but has not released it to the public.
- ▪Nine thousand tonnes of salmon died between January and March despite antibiotic use, compared to 13,500 tonnes the previous year.
- ▪Parts of the seafood industry fear the salmon sector will pursue future use of florfenicol under a different permitting process.
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Amount of antibiotic florfenicol used at Tasmanian salmon farm lease concerning, say Greens, expertBy state political reporter Lucy MacDonald and Alexandra HumphriesTopic:Fishing and Aquaculture Industry14m ago14 minutes agoTue 28 Apr 2026 at 7:21pmThe public has yet to be told how much of the antibiotic florfenicol has been used by Tasmania's salmon industry. (Huon)In short:The Tasmanian Environment Protection Authority says more than 2.7 tonnes of the antibiotic florfenicol were used at one salmon farm lease in just two months, an amount one expert says is a "huge amount".Information on how much of the antibiotic has entered public waterways from the eight other salmon leases has not been released to the public, despite assurances that it would be.What's next?Following the permit to use…
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