Salmon Hatcheries

​​​​Freshwater salmon hatcheries are land-based aquaculture facilities that breed, hatch and rear juvenile salmonids, which are then transferred to marine fish farms for on-growing. 

About Salmon Hatcheries

Most salmon operators in Tasmania utilise land-based aquaculture facilities to breed, hatch and rear animals, before transporting salmon to marine farms for maturing and harvesting. 

There are currently several hatcheries operating in Tasmania for the purpose of fish production, education research and development, recreational fisheries and commercial markets.

All Tasmanian freshwater fish farms, including salmonid hatcheries, are managed by the Inland Fisheries Service (IFS) under the Inland Fisheries Act 1995. 

Salmon Hatchery Licensing

Salmon hatcheries are required to carry a licence, which contains conditions relating to the species of fish permitted to be grown, the location and size of the farm, the source of fish stock and requirements for disease management and the prevention of fish escapes.

Licence fees are based on the hatchery’s maximum standing biomass, which is grouped into three ​categories:
  • Category one: Standing biomass of greater than 100 tonnes
  • Category two: Standing biomass greater than two tonnes but less than or equal to 100 tonnes
  • Category three: Standing biomass equal to or less than two tonnes
Hatcheries in categories one and two are also required to hold an environmental licence under the Environmental Management and Pollution Control Act 1994. Environmental licences are regulated by the Environment Protection Authority

Hatcheries are also required to hold a water licence and an allocation granted under the Water Management Act 1999​.​

Fish Farm Management Plans

To ensure that a hatchery is meeting high and consistent standards in relation to the environment, biosecurity and resource use, operators must implement a Fish Farm Management Plan. 

A Fish Farm Management Plan details the policies and procedures an operation must implement, which covers:
  • operational biosecurity procedures 
  • biosecurity incident and emergency procedures
  • equipment and vehicles
  • staff, contractors and visitors
  • access to, and movement in, the fish farm
  • fish feed
  • quarantine and testing areas
  • prevention of escapes and incidental transfers. 
A Fish Farm Management Plan is developed and approved alongside the fish farm licensing process.

Find the Fish Farm Licence application form on the Inland Fisheries Service website. ​