The Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) industry in Tasmania has developed in the past 15 years. The industry was established as a result of a joint venture project between the Tasmanian Government, the Norwegian company Noraqua and a group of private Australian companies.
In 1985-86, the first 55 tonnes of salmon was harvested; in 1998-99, the estimated live weight production harvest was about 10,000 tonnes with an industry farm gate value of about $100m.
Tasmania is the only State in Australia with an environment suitable for sea pen culturing of Atlantic salmon. The majority of salmon farms are in the south-east of Tasmania in the D'Entrecasteaux Channel, Huon River and Tasman Peninsula, but there are also a number of farms in Macquarie Harbour on Tasmania's west coast.
Most of the fish is sold into the Australian domestic market in a fresh chilled form. The value-added sector, which includes smoked products and caviar, is increasing. Approximately 25% of production is sold into Asian export markets (particularly Japan).
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