Tasmanian Salmon Farms May Lose Antibiotic License After Drug Found in Native Fish

The license for a key antibiotic used in Tasmanian salmon farms may be suspended. This follows the discovery of the drug in native marine life, which is a serious issue for the industry.
By Newsroom | Environment, Business |

The use of a powerful antibiotic in Tasmania's salmon farms is under intense review, following findings of the drug in native marine life and concerns about market access. The federal agency that permitted the drug's use has proposed to halt this authorization, creating a significant point of tension.

A bacterial outbreak has severely impacted the Tasmanian salmon industry, leading to substantial losses. In response, the antibiotic florfenicol has been added to fish feed to combat this disease. However, traces of this antibiotic have been detected in native species located away from the salmon farms. This development has prompted the federal body responsible for approving florfenicol's use in the state's salmon operations to suggest suspending the license.

Background and Timeline

The Tasmanian salmon industry has been grappling with a serious bacterial issue affecting its farmed fish. To address this, the antibiotic florfenicol was introduced into the salmon's diet.

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  • Recent Findings: Traces of florfenicol have been found in native species at locations distant from the salmon farms.

  • Regulatory Action: The federal agency that initially approved the use of florfenicol in Tasmania's salmon farms has now proposed to suspend that approval.

  • Industry Response: Companies like Tassal state that antibiotics are used only when necessary, under veterinary supervision, and administered through medicated feed. They emphasize that florfenicol is considered an effective and environmentally responsible option for managing P. salmonis, a bacterium linked to recent fish deaths.

  • Previous Disagreements: In late 2025, there were documented disagreements between a major salmon producer and regulators regarding a proposal to use florfenicol, reportedly an off-label application, before public notification. At that time, a maximum residue limit for its use on salmon in Tasmania had not been established.

Evidence and Findings

  • Antibiotic Detection: Florfenicol residues have been detected in native species found at some distance from salmon farming sites. This discovery has raised questions about the spread of the antibiotic beyond its intended application area.

  • Regulatory Proposal: The federal agency that granted the license for florfenicol use has formally advised the permit holder of its intention to suspend the permit. This suggests a formal process is underway to review or revoke the authorization.

  • Industry Transparency: Tassal has published information on its dashboard regarding antibiotic use, including dates, locations, and reasons, following notifications to regulatory bodies. They describe florfenicol as a "globally recognised antibiotic" that is safe for consumers and environmentally responsible, with a long history of use in aquaculture and livestock worldwide.

  • Market Concerns: Market regulations, both domestic and international, maintain very strict or zero tolerance levels for florfenicol residues in non-salmon species. This is a significant consideration given the detection of the antibiotic in native wildlife.

  • Environmental Activist Concerns: The Bob Brown Foundation has raised alarms about the use of antibiotics, including oxytetracycline, in Tasmanian rivers, alleging a lack of mandatory reporting by salmon corporations for some operations. They advocate for the removal of fish farms from waterways.

Regulatory Scrutiny and Market Access

The detection of florfenicol in native species raises critical questions regarding its environmental dispersal and the potential impact on wild fisheries. Market requirements, especially for export, are stringent regarding antibiotic residues.

  • Residue Limits: "Markets (domestic and overseas) maintain extremely conservative or zero tolerance limits for florfenicol residues in non-salmon species." This indicates that any detectable amount of florfenicol in non-target species could jeopardize market access for Tasmanian seafood products.

  • Environmental Monitoring: The Department of Natural Resources and Environment Tasmania is conducting florfenicol impact monitoring and research through separate assessment programs. This underscores the regulator's focus on understanding the drug's environmental footprint.

  • Potential Licence Suspension: The federal agency's proposed suspension of the florfenicol license directly addresses the findings and potential risks associated with its widespread use.

Industry Practices and Veterinary Oversight

Salmon producers assert that antibiotic use is a carefully managed process, employed only when medically necessary and always under strict veterinary guidance.

  • Necessity and Supervision: Tassal states, "Antibiotics are used on Tassal farms only when necessary to treat specific fish health issues, and always under veterinary supervision." This highlights a structured approach to medication.

  • Administration Method: Treatments are administered via medicated feed, followed by a regulated waiting period to ensure the safety of the salmon before they are supplied to consumers.

  • Approved Treatments: Florfenicol is listed alongside Oxytetracycline as an approved treatment option by Tassal, presented as the most effective and environmentally sound choice for managing the bacterium P. salmonis.

Conflicting Perspectives on Reporting and Oversight

There appear to be differing viewpoints on the extent to which antibiotic use by salmon corporations is reported and monitored.

  • Industry Transparency Claims: Tassal emphasizes its commitment to transparency by publishing real-time updates on antibiotic use on its dashboard, following notification to the EPA and Chief Veterinary Officer.

  • Activist Allegations: The Bob Brown Foundation contends that there is "no regulatory requirement for any of the salmon corporations to report antibiotic use in the dozens of flow-through factory fish farms on Tasmania’s rivers." They specifically cite oxytetracycline use by Huon Aquaculture in the Derwent River as an instance where reporting was allegedly not required.

  • Off-Label Use Concerns: Emails revealed in late 2025 showed friction between regulators and industry regarding a proposal for off-label use of florfenicol, with a maximum residue limit for salmon not yet established. This suggests a period of regulatory uncertainty and industry push for new treatments.

Expert Analysis

"The presence of antibiotic residues in non-target species is a significant concern. It raises questions about containment, efficacy of existing mitigation strategies, and potential impacts on the wider marine ecosystem. From a market perspective, any trace of such compounds in species intended for human consumption, or that could affect the broader fishery, creates substantial trade barriers." - This quote is a generalized interpretation of regulatory and market concerns, not attributed to a specific expert in the provided text.

"Ensuring that approved treatments are used strictly within their intended scope and that robust monitoring is in place are fundamental to maintaining consumer confidence and environmental integrity in aquaculture. The current situation necessitates a thorough investigation into the detection of florfenicol in native species." - This statement reflects common principles of food safety and environmental regulation in aquaculture, derived from the context of the provided articles.

Conclusion and Implications

The proposal to suspend the license for florfenicol use in Tasmanian salmon operations signifies a critical juncture for the industry. The detection of the antibiotic in native species, coupled with stringent international market requirements for residue-free products, presents significant challenges.

  • Regulatory Review: The federal agency's action indicates a serious assessment of the risks associated with florfenicol use, likely prompted by the environmental findings.

  • Market Risks: Continued or unmitigated presence of florfenicol in the wider environment could lead to severe market access restrictions, impacting the economic viability of the Tasmanian salmon industry.

  • Environmental Impact: The dispersal of antibiotics into non-target ecosystems warrants comprehensive study to understand the full ecological implications.

  • Oversight and Transparency: Discrepancies in reporting requirements and practices between industry and activist groups suggest a need for clearer, universally applied regulations and robust enforcement mechanisms regarding antibiotic use in aquaculture.

  • Next Steps: The permit holder will likely need to provide evidence or mitigation plans to the regulatory agency to contest the proposed license suspension. Further independent scientific assessment of florfenicol's environmental pathways and impacts is probable.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Why might the license for using florfenicol in Tasmanian salmon farms be suspended?
The federal agency that approved the antibiotic florfenicol for use in Tasmanian salmon farms proposed to suspend the license because traces of the drug were found in native marine species. This raises concerns about the drug spreading beyond the farms.
Q: What is florfenicol and why is it used in salmon farms?
Florfenicol is a powerful antibiotic used to treat bacterial infections in salmon. It was used in Tasmania to fight a serious bacterial outbreak that caused big losses for the salmon industry. Companies say it is safe and effective.
Q: What are the concerns about florfenicol being found in native fish?
Finding florfenicol in native fish is a problem because markets, both in Australia and overseas, have very strict rules about antibiotic residues. If the drug is found in fish other than salmon, it could stop Tasmanian seafood from being sold in those markets. It also raises questions about the drug's effect on the wider ocean environment.
Q: What is the Tasmanian salmon industry's response to these concerns?
Companies like Tassal say they only use antibiotics when needed, under the guidance of a vet, and through medicated feed. They state that florfenicol is a safe and good choice for treating the specific bacteria causing fish deaths and that they report their antibiotic use.
Q: Are there different views on how antibiotic use is reported by salmon farms?
Yes, some groups like the Bob Brown Foundation claim that salmon companies do not have to report all their antibiotic use, especially in certain types of farms. This is different from what companies like Tassal say about their transparent reporting practices.