Rosalie Woodruff MP | Greens Environment spokesperson
The Greens welcome the newly launched ‘Dennes Point Declaration’, and wholeheartedly support its demands.
More and more Tasmanians are getting involved with the campaign to tackle the impact of industrial fish farming on our marine environment and our lifestyle. The Dennes Point Declaration will empower many locals to have a say on their waterways.
Tasmanians have a deep connection to our marine waters. We are swimmers, fishers, surfers, walkers, boaters and paddlers - we love our island’s incredible coastlines and rivers.
Too much of Tasmania’s water life is being ruined or destroyed by industrial fish farming. The intensive nature of the salmon farming industry threatens ecosystems, and forces people out of the water and off beaches.
The Tasmanian Alliance for Marine Protection, along with many other community groups, have been respectfully drawing attention to the pollution, marine hazards, animal abuses, noise and other negative consequences of intensive fish farming. The Liberal Government, however, supported by the Labor Opposition, refuses to acknowledge there’s any issues at all.
It’s no wonder the community voice is getting louder. For lutruwita/Tasmania’s aquaculture industry to be truly sustainable, we need to look at land-based and deep sea alternatives, and establish proper, science-based oversight from an independent regulator.
The Greens applaud the Tasmanian Alliance for Marine Protection for their Dennes Point Declaration. We will continue to support them in the fight to protect the integrity of our bays, coastlines and rivers.