Antibiotic Use – testing
The use of antibiotics on our farms is rare and is strictly limited to the management of isolated fish health issues. The use of antibiotics is scientifically supported and widespread. The most typically administered antibiotic (Oxytetracycline) is approved by the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority (AVPMA). Treatment is administered via medicated feed and is coordinated by a qualified veterinary officer.
Visible orange signage is erected upon pens which have received treatment to notify waterway users.
All treated stock is subjected to a mandatory withdrawal period. As such, treated fish will not be harvested before the end of the mandatory withdrawal period.
If treatment is required, EPA are notified and a comprehensive Environmental Antibiotic Residue Monitoring program is undertaken at the farming lease. This monitoring program is prescribed by the EPA and is developed to comprehensively assess the specific treatment event. The program includes sediment and wild fish analysis, with samples collected at a range of distances from the lease, at various frequencies. The results are provided to the EPA and, upon completion of the monitoring program, a final report is submitted for publication.
In alignment with the 2019 GSI methodology, antibiotic use has been calculated as the number of fish that received treatment in proportion to the total number of Tassal fish produced over that same period.
In May 2024, Tassal announced it would proactively disclose antibiotic use in its marine farms, as soon as practicable following notification to the EPA and Chief Vet.
