Salmon farming commenced in Tasmania in the mid 1980s after a report to the Tasmanian Fisheries Development Authority concluded that a salmon farming industry could be successfully developed in Tasmania. As a result, in 1984 fertilised Atlantic salmon eggs were purchased from the Gaden Hatchery (NSW), which were from stock originally imported in the 1960s from Nova Scotia, Canada. 

A sea farm was established at Dover in the south of Tasmania and a hatchery was developed at Wayatinah in the central highlands.  Tassal Limited was established in 1986.

The first commercial harvest of 53 tonnes was in the summer of 1986/87. The Tasmanian industry now produces over 17000 tonnes per annum, of which Tassal accounts for approx 70%. Of the eleven companies who began farming salmon in the mid 1980's only three remain. Tassal is the largest of these.

As the industry grew Tassal emerged at the forefront of the industry, pioneering many innovations in both fish husbandry and farm technology.  Tassal’s volume has steadily grown each year to over 12,000 tonnes per annum and employs over 450 people.  It is the largest aquaculture company in Australia, marketing 70% of the Tasmanian salmon industries production.  Tassal Group Ltd is a vertically integrated company from financial involvement in hatchery operations, through to farming, processing, value-adding, distribution, sales & marketing.

The company has a highly respected team of marine biologists and experienced salmon farming personnel who together represent and impressive number of years’ experience in perfecting the growing of salmon. 

In recent years the company has successfully emerged from a series of major corporate events, having acquired Nortas in 2003 then merging with Aquatas in 2005.  The company has successfully implemented major restructuring and cost reduction initiatives which has resulted in a healthy financial result.