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The Tassal Salmon Story
Why Atlantic Salmon
Freshwater Operations
Marine Operations
Processing
Frequently Asked QuestionsWhat makes salmon flesh pink? In the wild, crustaceans form part of the Atlantic salmons' natural diet. Contained in most crustaceans is a naturally occurring pigment called a carotenoid. This particular carotenoid is called astaxanthin and it is red in colour. Once this carotenoid has been digested by the salmon it imparts a pink colour to the flesh, and it is also what gives lobsters, prawns & crabs their red tint. As farmed salmon are fed on pellets & not crustaceans, astaxanthin forms part the feed, along with fish meal, cereals, vitamins & minerals. Astaxanthin is also an antioxidant which is essential for the proper growth of the salmon. Contrary to some incorrect reports farmed salmon is not injected with red dye to make the flesh pink. Is there Mercury in farmed Atlantic salmon? Mercury is a naturally occurring common element that is present in air, water & food. Fish absorb mercury from the waters in which they feed. When we eat fish we also absorb the mercury, however this does not pose a health risk when fish is eaten as part of a normal diet. Mercury levels are known to be higher in large, predatory fish and it is recommended that these species are not consumed more than once a week by healthy adults & children and not at all by pregnant women1. However salmon can be consumed in unrestricted quantities by adults & children including pregnant women. Why do we need to farm fish? Fish is becoming more popular with Australians regularly purchasing a wide variety of fish species for consumption. As demand increases this puts pressure on wild fish stocks. Aquaculture is a environmentally sound way to provide enough fish for consumption, without putting any pressure on wild fish stocks. In the future it is expected that most of our fish for consumption will originate from aquaculture. 1Better Health Channel website www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au - fact sheet on Mercury in fish. Department of Human Services, State of Victoria 2000/2004  
Seals Australian and New Zealand Fur Seals are protected wildlife, and are the natural and rightful inhabitants of the marine environment in which we operate. At Tassal we are committed to operating sustainably, and so the need to effectively share waterways with seals is a priority for us. Our focus is to reduce interactions with seals at our marine farms, while at the same time minimising any impacts on the well being of seals. The most effective way to reduce interactions with seals is to prevent them from entering our sea pens, and Tassal use a number of passive strategies in this area including highly tensioned nets on our sea pens and newly developed aerial bird and seal netting to prevent seals from jumping in to the pens. We work constantly with researchers, and international experts to find better ways of prevention, and have committed significant resources in to passive seal exclusion upgrades in recent times. If a seal repeatedly breaches the defences of one of our farms, then as a last resort they may be relocated under the guidance of strict protocols developed in conjunction with the Tasmanian Department of Parks, Water, and Environment (DPIPWE). Tassal employs an experienced, dedicated seal manager to carry out this task if it's required. We are pleased to report that our efforts are making a difference, and the need to relocate seals has reduced significantly in recent times. This is a win-win scenario, reducing bottom line losses to our company while also reducing any stress that may be caused to seals through removal and relocation. Click here to learn more about the Australian fur seal.
Antibiotics Occasionally, our farmers have to treat our animals if their health is compromised. We do this through vet-prescribed antibiotic treatments. However, only 3 per cent of feed, fed to Tassal salmon throughout each year, is medicated. Tassal places the highest priority on fish health and welfare. Tassal uses antibiotics responsibly and only in instances when we are required to treat fish, and always in the best interests of their welfare. Treatments are always under veterinary supervision. Importantly, Tassal’s antibiotic use has steadily decreased over the past three years, even as production (the number of fish we sent to market) has increased, thanks to improved fish health management and vaccine development. We expect antibiotic use will continue to decrease, as has been the case in the northern hemisphere where salmon farms have been in operation for a longer time. While it is Tassal’s goal to eliminate antibiotic use from our farms altogether, fish health and welfare will always come first. Recent report Click Here to download the ‘Fisheries Research and Development Corporation – Summary of antibiotics and antifouling agents used in farming Australian Salmonids’. Anti-fouling copper paint use Copper paint is a relatively widespread tool used to control the fouling of equipment and boats in the marine environment. Marine farms use anti-fouling copper paint on their nets to control algae growth. Today, more and more of Tassal’s nets are being washed and used without antifoulants. While the industry recognises that there are potential impacts to the environment, recent studies show the environmental impact near farms is negligible and manageable. The use of antifoulants does not pose a threat to the quality or wholesomeness of our fish. Tassal have developed technology in house (MIC) that is providing the solution to copper treated nets. This speeds up the process of net cleaning, improves fish health and eliminates the need to use copper paint. As such, it is Tassal’s goal to stop using antifoulants in our farming operations within five years. This technology has been shared with the rest of the Tasmanian industry and has created much interest internationally. Click here to visit the MIC website
Fish Meal Only part of the feed we use depends on marine sources; these sources are recognised globally as being limited. It is in the industry’s best interest to demand that fish stocks used for fish meal and fish oil is sustainability managed. In Tasmania as in the rest of the salmon farming world, the fish farming industry is researching development of vegetable proteins as a supplement to ongoing reliance on fishmeal and oil for salmon nutrition. Click here for further information on fish meal and fish feed. |
