Key facts
- Over 150,000 underwater explosives have been used at Tasmanian salmon farms since 2016.
- In the first half of 2026, nearly 1,800 underwater explosives were deployed against seals.
- Huon Aquaculture, owned by JBS, used 1,126 explosives in early 2026.
- Four seals died in the first half of 2026 at Tassal and Huon Aquaculture sites.
- Tassal's use of explosives has increased after a four-year decline.
- Petuna used 120 underwater explosives in Macquarie Harbour and the Tamar River.
More than 150,000 underwater explosives have been deployed by salmon companies in Tasmania to deter seals since 2016, according to data from the Department of Natural Resources and Environment (NRE Tas). In the first half of 2026 alone, nearly 1,800 such devices were used.
Huon Aquaculture, now the state's largest salmon producer and owned by Brazilian meat company JBS, accounted for 1,126 of the explosives used in early 2026, with the majority deployed at its Storm Bay leases. The company stated it takes its responsibility to protect wildlife seriously and is evaluating initiatives to improve safety, including infrastructure upgrades and new technologies.
Tassal, owned by Canadian multinational Cooke Aquaculture, reported phasing out seal deterrents but has seen an increase in explosive use in the first half of 2026, with over 551 devices deployed, primarily at its Tasman Peninsula leases. Tassal also used 31 bean bag rounds. The company stated that seals gained access to its cages 1,100 times in the past three years, with a 26% fall in access in 2025 compared to the previous year.
Petuna, the smallest of the three marine salmon producers, used 82 underwater explosives in Macquarie Harbour and 38 in the Tamar River.
Since the start of 2021, 48 seals have died at Tasmanian salmon farms. In the first half of 2026, four fur seals died: two at Tassal sites and two at Huon Aquaculture sites. The causes of death included entanglement in salmon cages, a boat strike, and an incident during an attempt to sedate and relocate an animal. The use of underwater explosives has declined sharply since April 2021, potentially in response to the publication of Richard Flanagan's book Toxic.