More than 150,000 underwater explosives used to deter seals at Tasmanian salmon farms since 2016
News Source
β’Mon, 21 Sep 2026 15:00:37 GMT
π° What Happened
New government figures show Tasmanian salmon farms have used more than 150,000 underwater explosives to scare seals away since 2016. Almost 1,800 were set off in the first half of 2026 alone.
Three companies farm salmon in Tasmanian waters: Huon Aquaculture, Tassal and Petuna. Huon used 1,126 devices in the first half of this year, close to two-thirds of the total.
Four fur seals died in that period. Two were tangled in salmon cages, one was hit by a boat and one died during an attempt to sedate and move it. Since 2021, 48 seals have died at these farms.
π The Backstory
Salmon farms use underwater crackers because seals try to eat the fish in the pens. The devices make a loud noise to frighten the animals off. Animal groups say the blasts can hurt seals and other sea life.
Use of the explosives dropped sharply after April 2021. That followed the release of Richard Flanagan's book Toxic, which criticised the industry. Data has been published twice a year since 2022, after a right-to-information request.
Huon is now the state's biggest salmon producer and is owned by Brazilian meat giant JBS. Tassal's 2025 sustainability report said it aims to phase out seal deterrents, but it set no deadline for doing so.
π― Why It Matters
The numbers show how farming and wildlife collide in shared waters. They also test whether Tasmania's regulators will keep a growing industry in check.
New government figures show Tasmanian salmon farms have used more than 150,000 underwater explosives to scare seals away since 2016. Almost 1,800 were set off in the first half of 2026 alone.
Three companies farm salmon in Tasmanian waters: Huon Aquaculture, Tassal and Petuna. Huon used 1,126 devices in the first half of this year, close to two-thirds of the total.
Four fur seals died in that period. Two were tangled in salmon cages, one was hit by a boat and one died during an attempt to sedate and move it. Since 2021, 48 seals have died at these farms.
Salmon farms use underwater crackers because seals try to eat the fish in the pens. The devices make a loud noise to frighten the animals off. Animal groups say the blasts can hurt seals and other sea life.
Use of the explosives dropped sharply after April 2021. That followed the release of Richard Flanagan's book Toxic, which criticised the industry. Data has been published twice a year since 2022, after a right-to-information request.
Huon is now the state's biggest salmon producer and is owned by Brazilian meat giant JBS. Tassal's 2025 sustainability report said it aims to phase out seal deterrents, but it set no deadline for doing so.
The numbers show how farming and wildlife collide in shared waters. They also test whether Tasmania's regulators will keep a growing industry in check.