Florfenicol found in abalone and lobsters up to 10km away from salmon farms

Very low levels of flofenicol have been detected in abalone and lobsters located more than 10 kilometres away from salmon farms.

The Environment Protection Authority (EPA) conducted 840 samples with 209 results pending.

It found that laboratory results identified trace amounts of florfenicol up to 0.06 mg/kg in marine life.

The furthest detection from a salmon farm was at Standaway Bay, around 10.6 kilometres away.

Salmon Tasmania CEO Joh Whittington said the aquaculture industry follows regulations and rules.

"The salmon industry only applies medication to its fish under strict veterinary advice, within established protocols and regulations,” Dr Whittington said.

“Like any primary producer, we have a legal and ethical obligation to provide medical treatment for our animals when required.

"Florfenicol has proven to be a very effective treatment for P. salmonis and does not impact the environmental health of our waterways or affect the safety of fish caught from them.”

Dr Whittington said that medications such as florfenicol were used solely to keep salmon healthy.

“The Tasmanian salmon industry is recognised for its science and innovation, and work is already underway to develop the next generation of vaccines to protect our fish and reduce the need for medication.

"The Tasmanian salmon industry takes its environmental responsibilities seriously.

“It is committed to working with government and research organisations to build on the knowledge and understanding of the marine environment, and how it can improve what it does through the science that underpins Tasmania's world-class seafood industry."

Tasmanian Greens leader Rosalie Woodruff said salmon farms should be forced to destock diseased pens.

“It’s very concerning florfenicol has been identified in wild fish with export markets that have zero tolerance for florfenicol residues in products,” Dr Woodruff said.

“Areas of the rock lobster fishery have already been closed because of the risk to their market caused by the antibiotic use of salmon companies.”