Five years ago, when Patagonia Australia first released Saving Martha, the issue of salmon farming in Tasmanian waters was a secretive affair. At the time, the industry was setting up in inshore bays around the island state’s south and west coasts, away from prying eyes. Likewise, the campaign against the industry and its myriads of polluting practices was struggling to be heard. It was very much a Tasmanian problem.
“Whatever’s going on in these pens, whatever’s going on in these bays that are secluded and tucked away is not something the industry is that proud of,” offered Dave Rastovich at the time. “If they were they’d be sharing it with people and welcoming people to marvel at the amazing work they’re doing feeding the world these amazing fish, but that’s really not what’s happening. It doesn’t feel like that at all. It feels like the exact opposite actually.”
Five years on and salmon farming in Tasmania is big business and a huge environmental issue. The salmon industry has doubled down – it’s been taken over by multinational corporations and co-opted favour from state and federal governments to become a billion-dollar industry with further plans to expand right around Tasmania, including the islands of Bass Strait.
Martha Lavinia, on the northeast coast of King Island, is one of Tasmania’s most treasured surf breaks, but even that doesn’t make it off safe from the salmon industry, who have plans to drop pens just off the coast. Saving Martha was made to highlight the issue of salmon farming to surfers right around Australia and beyond.
Five years on, with salmon farming now one of Australia’s major environmental issues, we reflect on the early days of the fight and are reminded of what’s at stake.
