Four million salmon died prematurely at Tasmanian fish farms in 2025, government data reveals | Tasmania
At least 4 million salmon will die prematurely in Tasmanian fish farms in 2025; New data from the state’s Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) suggests nearly 500,000 fish died in November and December as ocean temperatures rose.
Scientific studies show that Atlantic salmon are negatively affected as ocean temperatures approach 18C. At higher temperatures, salmon encounter less oxygenated water, suffer liver and kidney damage, have reduced appetite, and become more vulnerable to disease.
More than 2,500 tonnes of salmon died in the last three months of 2025, bringing this year’s death toll to 20,133 tonnes lost before processing for public consumption. EPA data It was released Friday afternoon.
More than 40 tonnes of salmon per day died prematurely in December; this was almost three times the monthly average from July to October.
Stewart Frusher, professor emeritus at the University of Tasmania’s Institute of Marine and Antarctic Studies, said the increase in salmon deaths in December unlucky sign for the coming months. “We are at a stage where the waters in south-east Tasmania are not suitable for salmon,” he said.
Call to quality companies
Tasmanian companies produced approximately 68,000 tonnes of eviscerated salmon for public consumption in 2024-25.
of Tasmania Animal Welfare Act It states that owners “should not use a method of managing an animal or group that may result in unreasonable and unjustifiable pain or suffering to the animal or any animal in the group.”
Frusher said there was no apparent regulatory action on mass salmon deaths, despite the RSPCA having made it pretty clear that salmon felt pain.
“There is currently a public interstate debate about possible penalties for leaving dogs in cars on hot days, and Premier Rockliff has committed to phasing out greyhound racing due to animal welfare concerns. But when it comes to mass salmon deaths, there is just silence,” he said.
Mass fish deaths on salmon farms in Norway can lead to serious fines. In November 2025, the Norwegian Food Safety Authority fined aquaculture company Salaks 1.86 million kroner (A$286,000) for violating fish welfare standards that resulted in the deaths of approximately 106,000 salmon. Later that month, authorities fined another company, Tombre, for the deaths of 132,000 salmon.
Coughlan said the lack of penalties did little to encourage the salmon industry to prevent mass die-offs. “Penalties should be imposed as in Norway to allow current mortality rates to become the new normal and bring animal welfare back into focus for an industry that is clearly beyond control,” he said.
Salmon Tasmania, which represents Tasmania’s three marine salmon producers, has been approached to respond to calls for the companies to face serious fines over mass fish kills. He didn’t answer.
