Site Selection
Water Quality
Salmonids are grown in clean, clear, oceanic waters and inshore estuarine waters in Tasmania. Salmon and trout require moderate to high quality water. Sites therefore are positioned in areas away from industrial activities. It is equally important that farmers maintain good on-site conditions, as it is the fish production which would first suffer if they neglect to do this. It has long been known that poor on-site management will result in reduced growth rates and increased mortality. On-site water quality monitoring is therefore an important task undertaken.
Physical Criteria
Most sites possess a depth of 10-30 m, an acceptable water flow and tidal ranges of 1-3 metres. Cages are moored apart, rather than in rafts, to maximise water movement around nets. There is also a clearance between the net base and substrate to allow water movement all around the cage rather than on the sides only.
While most sites are currently in sheltered areas to minimise storm damage, some growers are trialing sites in more exposed areas. This may require new cage systems and new management strategies given potential storm damage, more difficult access and serviceability and increased risk of poaching and collision.
Coastal Management Policy
Farms are positioned around Tasmania using site selection criteria, within aquaculture zones classified by a government coastal management policy.
Lease License Application
Sea leases are serviced from land leases but in some cases these may be a reasonable distance away. Sea leases carry the cages and sometimes night watch/storage platforms, while the land leases afford a landing site for the fish, harvesting facilities, storage sheds, offices, net washing and mending facilities, feed storage, anchorages for boats etc.
Labour
Farms are managed by qualified and experienced personnel, combined with a significant local workforce. Salmonid farms have significantly improved employment opportunities in many of the more remote areas. Inexperienced employees are given on-the-job training as well as participating in structured traineeships.
Support Industry
Many industries have developed, along with, and in support of, the salmonid industry. Examples include cage and net manufacturing, construction, feed production, processing equipment, transportation (haulage), and feeder technology.
Processing, Distribution
Road access to sites is required to supply smolts and equipment or to remove harvested product. Processing plants are also close to grow-out sites so that fish are processed within a short period of time post-harvest, to maintain flesh quality. Cages can also be towed to processing areas.
Processed, packed and chilled fresh product is transported to airports for flights to the mainlandand overseas manufacturers on the same day they are harvested.
Environmental Impacts
Regular Water Quality Monitoring
Government Policy
Potential Effect on Production Fish
Farm Strategies to Minimise Impact
Nutrients
Solids, Sedimentation
Interaction with Flora and Fauna
Socio-Economic
Distance to other Farms
