Four dolphins have died in the first half of the year after becoming entangled at salmon farms in southern Tasmania.

Data released by the Natural Resources and Environment Department shows the deaths occurred at Huon Aquaculture sites in Storm Bay off Trumpeter Bay at North Bruny Island, and the D’Entrecasteaux Channel and Huon River region.

A dolphin in action through the waves.

The four dolphins were all short-beaked common dolphins. (Supplied: South Coast Cetaceans)

As first reported in the Tasmanian Inquirer, one dolphin died in March in the D’Entrecasteaux Channel, two in Storm Bay in May, and another in June.

The deaths bring the total number of dolphin deaths at Tasmanian salmon farms to seven.

Aerial photo of salmon pens in the water.

Huon Aquaculture says it has “rigorous standards” to minimise the risk of wildlife interactions. (ABC News: Luke Bowden)

Company continuing to investigate

Huon Aquaculture said it is “continuing to investigate” the cause of the deaths and takes its responsibility to protect native wildlife “seriously”.

RSCPA withdraws certification for Huon salmon

RSPCA Australia strips its certification from Tasmanian salmon farming giant Huon Aquaculture.

It said it maintains “rigorous standards” across its farming operations to minimise the risk of wildlife interactions, including proactive mitigation measures, continuous monitoring and regular review of environmental management systems.

The company also says it’s investing in solutions to enhance wildlife safety within its marine leases.

In March, RSPCA Australia withdrew its certification from Huon Aquaculture following the release of a video that showed workers putting live fish into bins with dead fish.

In a statement, the Department of Natural Resources and Environment Tasmania (NRE Tas) said it had “requested further information from industry to assist in reviewing the circumstances surrounding the dolphin mortalities”.

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Environmental group Neighbours of Fish Farming (NOFF) said it is “appalled” by the dolphin deaths.

“It is not okay that Tasmanian wildlife is dying for the obscene profits of multi-national companies,” NOFF vice president Lisa Litjens said in a statement.

“NOFF expects concerned members of parliament to raise this scandal when it resumes tomorrow.”

NOFF campaigner Jess Coughlan said current measures to protect marine wildlife in Tasmania “clearly aren’t working”.

“The only solution is to remove this heavy industry from our sensitive inshore waterways, as recommended by the Legislative Council in 2022.”Dolphin deaths follow seal and cormorant deaths

The report also shows five fur seals have died at Tasmanian salmon farms this year, bringing the total number of seal deaths to 23 in the past three years.

Seal dies after botched tranquilisation attempt at salmon farm

A seal and 15 cormorants died in a Tasmanian salmon farm in the space of a week after becoming trapped inside, despite Tassal assurances that it would prevent wildlife interactions.

The data comes after the August release of documents under Right to Information, which detailed the deaths of a seal and 15 cormorants within the space of a week in June at a Tassal site.

The documents showed a seal was found dead at the bottom of a pen following failed attempts to sedate and remove it after it became trapped.

Less than a week after the seal’s death, 10 cormorants were found at the bottom of the fish pen, and five were entangled in a splash fence.

In August, Premier Jeremy Rockliff announced a moratorium on the salmon industry’s expansion and promised an independent review to examine the industry’s long-term sustainability and environmental impact.

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