Fears over contaminated fish prompt closures of Tasmania’s rock lobster fisheries

ABC NEWS (Australia)

Parts of Tasmania’s rock lobster fishery have been shut down due to concerns about antibiotics being used at nearby salmon farms. But the closure isn't because of concerns around Tasmanians eating contaminated lobster It's due to China's strict rules

Transcript

00:00Rock lobster season had just begun in Tasmania when fisherman Bryce Way got the news.

00:09At one o'clock we're allowed to shoot our gear in, five hours later we've got a closure

00:14already and boats are being told that in another six hours time once you lift your gear don't

00:19put your gear back there.

00:20Parts of Tasmania's Dontrecasto channel had been shut down without warning.

00:25The closure in response to concerns about an antibiotic being used on farmed salmon.

00:31The issue is the lack of discussion to the local commercial and recreational fishermen.

00:37The two zones affected are in the Dontrecasto channel, one off the coast of Dover, the other

00:43off the coast of Bruny Island.

00:45With a three kilometre radius they cover salmon pens where Flofenicol has been started, two

00:50on November 7 and a third five days later.

00:53Tasmanians have been told the risk of eating fish near those zones is low, but a key importer

01:00of Tasmanian rock lobster, China, has a zero tolerance policy for the antibiotic.

01:06It was only this time last year China lifted a ban on Australian rock lobster.

01:11Now there are fears the latest development will tarnish the industry.

01:16Our lobsters are marketed as, from pristine waters, you know, the best seafood in the world

01:21and you've got an introduced species causing us a problem.

01:24The Premier describing the move as an extra precaution.

01:29For safeguarding export market access given the sensitivities as you'd well appreciate.

01:38Testing of rock lobster in the Dontrecasto channel continues.

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