Submission #2045 - Marine Finfish Aquaculture Development in Storm Bay (Tasmania) - West of Wedge Island

Title of Proposal - Marine Finfish Aquaculture Development in Storm Bay (Tasmania) - West of Wedge Island

Section 1 - Summary of your proposed action

Provide a summary of your proposed action, including any consultations undertaken.

1.1 Project Industry Type

Aquaculture

1.2 Provide a detailed description of the proposed action, including all proposed activities.

The proposed action is to farm Atlantic Salmon at a new farming zone in Storm Bay, Tasmania. This zone represents an offshore extension to Tassal's existing marine farming leases (MF 190, MF 193, MF 194 and MF 055) within the Tasman Peninsula and Norfolk Bay Marine Farming Development Plan areas. The proposed new farming zone would be approximately 863 Ha containing four leases of approximately 90 Ha each. Within each 90 Ha lease, surface located marine farming equipment will be up to 45 Ha. Any equipment outside this 45 Ha would be at least 5 metres below the surface at the lease boundary. These dimensions will allow for the establishment of a grid mooring system with the capacity to house 16 pen bays on each of the four leases (a total of 64 pen bays).

The proposed action in Storm Bay requires the construction and placement of new marine farming infrastructure in waters to the west of Wedge Island. This infrastructure would include: • Mooring and grid system – comprising of 1 x 16 pen bay mooring grid (within each of four proposed leases). Independent mooring configuration will be used to secure feed barges. • Sea pens – 168 m circumference sea pens, of approximately 54 m diameter and 20 m depth would be used at the site. Construction material will be black in colour to minimise loss of visual amenity and to comply with regulatory requirements.

• Other supporting infrastructure – mobilised and serviced from the existing Tassal Nubeena shore base will include on-water structures (i.e. vessels and moored feed barges).

Fish size and stocking density: • Smolt will be placed within sea cages at approximately 150g weight. The maximum stocking density of fish will be 15kg/m3 of cage volume. Fish will be harvested at approximately 5kg around 18 months after initial transport to sea.

The operation of the proposed finfish development requires a range of activities including: • Vessel movements – multiple times a day to sea pens and the on-site feed barges to allow staff to undertake a range of maintenance, supply and stock husbandry tasks. Vessels will service the proposed zone in daylight hours under normal operational circumstances. The leases may be accessed by up to eight vessels per day, including re-supply vessels, work barges and general purpose dive support vessels. There may be instances where a security Submission #2045 - Marine Finfish Aquaculture Development in Storm Bay (Tasmania) - West of Wedge Island patrol vessel may be required to inspect the lease at night. • Feed system maintenance – the feed barges will each support individual centralised feeding systems. Generators and blowers on the feed barge will operate during daylight hours only and have sound mitigation equipment in line with EPA noise emission licence conditions. • Fish feeding – fish cultured by Tassal are fed commercial extruded salmon feeds. Projected monthly feed amounts will vary according to water temperature, fish size and harvest profile. • Fish health – Tassal has a comprehensive biosecurity procedural manual. Vessel, staff and equipment transfer between sites is minimised to reduce any chance of biosecurity breaches. • Cumulative noise levels from all Tassal operations will comply with the Tasmanian EPA regulatory requirements.

Environmental Monitoring: • A range of environmental monitoring activities will be undertaken supplementary to normal day-to-day finfish aquaculture activities within the proposed new zone. These will include: -water quality monitoring -fish performance assessments -benthic health monitoring

1.3 What is the extent and location of your proposed action? Use the polygon tool on the map below to mark the location of your proposed action.

Area Point Latitude Longitude

West of Wedge 1 -43.130556203197 147.64478835487 West of Wedge 2 -43.130556203197 147.6572338047 West of Wedge 3 -43.135034730991 147.6572338047 West of Wedge 4 -43.135128682607 147.6449171009 West of Wedge 5 -43.130618842211 147.64487418556 West of Wedge 6 -43.130556203197 147.64478835487

Tassal Storm Bay 1 -43.129742164739 147.65753570505 Tassal Storm Bay 2 -43.135386382911 147.65762583146 Tassal Storm Bay 3 -43.135386382911 147.6357390059 Tassal Storm Bay 4 -43.129749054208 147.63582483659 Tassal Storm Bay 5 -43.129742164739 147.65753570505

1.5 Provide a brief physical description of the property on which the proposed action will Submission #2045 - Marine Finfish Aquaculture Development in Storm Bay (Tasmania) - West of Wedge Island take place and the location of the proposed action (e.g. proximity to major towns, or for off-shore actions, shortest distance to mainland).

The proposed new farming zone in Storm Bay is approximately 1.8 km to the shoreline west of Wedge Island at its closest point. The location of the proposed zone is better detailed in Attachment 1 (uploaded to section 1.4 of this submission).

The closest marine farming finfish lease is MF190 Creeses Mistake (operated by the proponent – Tassal Operations) which is approximately 3.3 km to the northeast of the proposed new zone.

Tassal’s nearest land-based infrastructure is at Nubeena, 7km by water from the proposed new farming zone. Additional vessels will be mobilised from this land base to service the proposed lease areas. The proposed action is limited to additional marine-based activities which will occur within the proposed new marine farming zone. However, additional vessel movements from the land base at Nubeena will be required to service the proposed development at West of Wedge Island.

The four proposed leases (within the proposed farming zone) will have an orientation of east/west, running parallel to the shoreline of Wedge Island.

The proposed action is within the exposed, high-energy marine environment of Storm Bay which is dominated by saline oceanic waters with some freshwater influences from the River Derwent, as well as intrusions of subtropical and subantarctic waters originating from the Tasman Sea and Southern Ocean respectively. Depths range from 35 to 47 m at the site and the seabed is gently sloping, with the shallowest section in the north-east section of the proposed action area, getting progressively deeper towards the south-west. The substrate in the proposed action area consists entirely of coarse sand, with no benthic vegetation.

1.6 What is the size of the proposed action area development footprint (or work area) including disturbance footprint and avoidance footprint (if relevant)?

863 Ha

1.7 Is the proposed action a street address or lot?

Lot

1.7.2 Describe the lot number and title.Draft Amendment No. 5 to the Tasman Peninsula and Norfolk Bay Marine Farming Development Plan

1.8 Primary Jurisdiction.

Tasmania

1.9 Has the person proposing to take the action received any Australian Government grant funding to undertake this project? Submission #2045 - Marine Finfish Aquaculture Development in Storm Bay (Tasmania) - West of Wedge Island

No

1.10 Is the proposed action subject to local government planning approval?

No

1.11 Provide an estimated start and estimated end date for the proposed action.

Start date 07/2018

End date 07/2040

1.12 Provide details of the context, planning framework and State and/or Local government requirements.

The Tasmanian salmonid industry represents one of the most important industry growth sectors in Tasmania over the last 30 years. The Tasmanian State Government is partnering with the salmonid industry and the Tasmanian community to provide for sustainable growth through:

· Development of world’s best practice finfish aquaculture management methods

· A commitment to expertise in research, development and innovation

· Implementation of an effective biosecurity management regime

· Facilitation of a robust and independent planning and regulatory system

· Increasing community confidence through transparency of data

The Tasmanian Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) is responsible for environmental regulation of the Salmon-farming Industry under the Environmental Management and Pollution Control Act 1994.

All of Tassal’s marine farming operations must be licenced under the Living Marine Resources Management Act (1995). Each licence includes environmental monitoring conditions specific to that licence to ensure that activities carried out under licence are managed in ways that prevent unacceptable impacts to the marine environment.

The Marine Farming Planning Act (1995) provides a legislative mechanism for the development and approval of marine farming development plans, such as the Tasman Peninsula and Norfolk Bay Marine Farming Development Plan, which allocate zones for marine farming and lease areas within these zones. These plans document mandatory management controls for each planning area, environmental controls related to carrying capacity and monitoring, controls on disease management, waste, use of chemicals and controls to visual impacts and the safe marking of lease areas.

The legislative framework and processes for regulating marine farming in Tasmania provides Submission #2045 - Marine Finfish Aquaculture Development in Storm Bay (Tasmania) - West of Wedge Island security and certainty for industry, input and consultation with community and stakeholder groups, and the environmental protection required to maintain the integrity of marine ecosystems.

The current management of marine farming in Tasmania supports a contemporary environmental management regime for finfish farming in Storm Bay (and established under amendment to the Tasman Peninsula and Norfolk Bay Marine Farming Development Plan November 2005), in that the regulator/planning authority can impose relevant licence conditions for specific sites having regard to relevant scientific research and data.

1.13 Describe any public consultation that has been, is being or will be undertaken, including with Indigenous stakeholders.

For the proposed West of Wedge development, Tassal has undertaken an integrated approach to stakeholder and community engagement to enhance and support communication linkages. Through identification of various potential stakeholder sectors, a stakeholder engagement plan (SEP) was established in relation to the proposed development.

Tassal initiated contact with a range of key interest groups and stakeholders well in advance of the statutory requirements for public consultation. Informal discussions with major stakeholders commenced in 2014, and has allowed continued frequent and timely consultation to:

- provide stakeholders with adequate time to understand the proposal

- provide stakeholders with the opportunity to work with Tassal to modify/adapt the proposal to minimise negative impact

- inform stakeholders about Tassal’s farming practices and advice about the environmental impacts of salmon aquaculture practices in general.

Tassal also conducted an Aboriginal Heritage Assessment through Aboriginal Heritage Tasmania (AHT). AHT informed Tassal that a search of the Aboriginal Heritage Register had been completed and advised no Aboriginal heritage sites were recorded in the area of the proposed action. Refer to Attachment 2 (uploaded to section 1.13.1 of this submission) for email correspondence with AHT.

An ongoing program continues to provide a coordinated approach to stakeholder engagement. This approach assists in the management of emerging issues, keeping stakeholders informed and maintaining relationships and open dialogues. The SEP continues to be a dynamic document; being updated or modified based on stakeholder interactions and feedback as new information emerges. It has provided an opportunity for individuals and organisations to be notified of the proposed development, understand the potential impacts and how it may affect them. Submission #2045 - Marine Finfish Aquaculture Development in Storm Bay (Tasmania) - West of Wedge Island

Refer to Attachment 3 (uploaded to section 1.13.1 of this submission) for details on the public consultation related to the proposed action.

1.14 Describe any environmental impact assessments that have been or will be carried out under Commonwealth, State or Territory legislation including relevant impacts of the project.

An Environmental Impact Statement has been prepared and submitted to the DPIPWE Planning Authority to amend the Tasman Peninsula and Norfolk Bay Marine Farming Development Plan November 2005. This EIS has been made publicly available and can be currently accessed at http://dpipwe.tas.gov.au/sea-fishing-aquaculture/marine-farming-aquaculture/marine-farming- development-plans/marine-farm-planning-proposals/tasman-peninsula-and-norfolk-bay (at the time of this submission) and also uploaded as Attachment 4, 5 and 6 (a, b, c, d and e) of this submission (section 1.14.1).

1.15 Is this action part of a staged development (or a component of a larger project)?

No

1.16 Is the proposed action related to other actions or proposals in the region?

Yes

1.16.1 Identify the nature/scope and location of the related action (Including under the relevant legislation).

The Marine Farming Planning Act 1995 (MFPA) provides for the establishment and amendment of Marine Farming Development Plans (MFDP)’s to guide the sustainable development and management of marine farming in State waters.

Storm Bay is identified in the Government’s draft Sustainable Industry Growth Plan for the Salmonid Industry as a priority area for the possible expansion of salmonid marine farming. Opportunities in this area are being explored by each of Tasmania’s three major salmonid producers: Tassal Operations , Huon Aquaculture Company and Petuna Pty Ltd.

The planning process is currently assessing:

-Draft Amendment No. 5 to the Tasman Peninsula and Norfolk Bay Marine Farming Development Plan November 2005 (West of Wedge) - Tassal Operations

-Draft Amendment No.3 to the Storm Bay off Trumpeter Bay North Bruny Island Marine Farming Development Plan July 1998 (Huon Aquaculture Company) Submission #2045 - Marine Finfish Aquaculture Development in Storm Bay (Tasmania) - West of Wedge Island

-Draft Storm Bay North Marine Farming Development Plan July 1998 (Petuna Aquaculture).

The Tasmanian Government has limited the initial production in Storm Bay to 30,000 tonnes/year managed under a Total Permissible Dissolved Nitrogen Output (TPDNO) allocated to each company wishing to undertake salmon farming in Storm Bay. Tassal's apportionment of this production cap is 30% of the TPDNO. At maximum production capacity under this limit, Tassal could theoretically produce 9,000 tonnes/year. However, Tassal has adopted conservative approach to developing and stocking the proposed lease areas to better understand the environmental characteristics of the site and any constraints to optimising yield in these conditions.

Submission #2045 - Marine Finfish Aquaculture Development in Storm Bay (Tasmania) - West of Wedge Island

Section 2 - Matters of National Environmental Significance

Describe the affected area and the likely impacts of the proposal, emphasising the relevant matters protected by the EPBC Act. Refer to relevant maps as appropriate. The interactive map tool can help determine whether matters of national environmental significance or other matters protected by the EPBC Act are likely to occur in your area of interest. Consideration of likely impacts should include both direct and indirect impacts.

Your assessment of likely impacts should consider whether a bioregional plan is relevant to your proposal. The following resources can assist you in your assessment of likely impacts:

• Profiles of relevant species/communities (where available), that will assist in the identification of whether there is likely to be a significant impact on them if the proposal proceeds;

• Significant Impact Guidelines 1.1 – Matters of National Environmental Significance;

• Significant Impact Guideline 1.2 – Actions on, or impacting upon, Commonwealth land and Actions by Commonwealth Agencies.

2.1 Is the proposed action likely to have ANY direct or indirect impact on the values of any World Heritage properties?

No

2.2 Is the proposed action likely to have ANY direct or indirect impact on the values of any National Heritage places?

No

2.3 Is the proposed action likely to have ANY direct or indirect impact on the ecological character of a Ramsar wetland?

No

2.4 Is the proposed action likely to have ANY direct or indirect impact on the members of any listed species or any threatened ecological community, or their habitat?

Yes

2.4.1 Impact table

Species Impact Birds of prey • Wedge-tailed Eagle (Aquila To assess the potential impacts of the proposed Submission #2045 - Marine Finfish Aquaculture Development in Storm Bay (Tasmania) - West of Wedge Island

Species Impact audax fleayi) action at the proposed West of Wedge development location, a list the species or communities identified and verified as Matters of National Environmental Significance (MNES) were subjected to an Environmental Risk Assessment (refer to Attachment 7 uploaded to Section 2.14 of this submission). Importantly, while the Environmental Risk Assessment has been developed for specific threatened species and communities identified in the area of the proposed development, it is also broadly applicable to other species within each category (e.g. birds of prey, seabirds, whales, etc.). There are no Tasmanian Wedge-tailed Eagle nests within 5 km of the proposed West of Wedge development and six nests within 10 km (in the eucalypt forests north of Roaring Beach). Nest disturbance is the primary threat to this species but this is unlikely to arise given the considerable distance between operations and known nest sites (>8.5 km). Wedge-tailed eagles generally do not forage over water and therefore the risk of entanglement in nets is low. In the unlikely event of direct interaction of Wedge-tailed Eagles with aquaculture infrastructure, the threat of entanglement is minimized by a range of measures including high-quality, well-maintained bird-exclusion nets and well-developed bird entanglement protocols. Wedge-tailed Eagles scavenging food on beaches may become entangled in marine debris. Tassal has engaged BirdLife Tasmania to assist in the development of practical measures to prevent the possibility of marine debris impacting on raptors that forage and feed within the Storm Bay region. Shore cleanups and monitoring within and around the proposed lease area by Tassal operational staff will be undertaken during the winter months (outside of bird nesting and mating periods) and post storm events. Given the distance to nearest Wedge-tailed Eagle nest is nearly 10 km away, nest disturbance is unlikely. Measures used by Tassal to avoid and reduce impacts on birds of prey are detailed in the Environmental Risk Assessment for the West of Submission #2045 - Marine Finfish Aquaculture Development in Storm Bay (Tasmania) - West of Wedge Island

Species Impact Wedge development (refer to Attachment 7). There is negligible risk for the proposed West of Wedge development to birds of prey (including wedge-tailed eagles) following the implementation of measures to avoid or reduce impact. Seabirds • Wandering Albatross (Diomedea 11 albatross, petrel and prion species were exulans) • Shy Albatross (Thalassarche cauta identified that periodically visit Storm Bay and steadi) • Southern Royal Albatross (Diomedea therefore may interact with the proposed West epomophora (sensu strict)) • Blue Petrel of Wedge development. Potential threats to (Halobaena caerulea) • Northern Giant Petrel these species from activities associated with (Macronectes halli) • Gould’s Petrel the proposed development may include: (Pterodroma leucoptera leucoptera) • Buller’s entanglement in nets, olfactory attraction to fish Albatross (Thalassarche bulleri) • White- wastes, collisions following attraction to light; capped Albatross (Thalassarche cauta steadi) • and consumption or entanglement in marine Grey-headed Albatross (Thalassarche debris. Tassal will continue to employ their chrysostoma) • Campbell Albatross current wildlife control measures at the (Thalassarche melanophris impavida) • Fairy proposed West of Wedge lease. These Prion (Pachyptila turtur subantarctica) measures have prompted a continued decrease in the numbers and types of bird interactions through improved maintenance procedures, the use of well maintained, high-quality bird netting, the development of formal wildlife handling and management protocols, the implementation of a more effective fish feeding system and minimisation of olfactory and light pollution. Measures used by Tassal to avoid and reduce impacts on coastal and oceanic seabirds are described in Section 4 and detailed in the Environmental Risk Assessment for the West of Wedge development (refer to Attachment 7). There is negligible risk of the proposed West of Wedge development to seabirds following the implementation of measures to avoid or reduce impact. Other Birds • Swift parrot (Lathamus discolour) A population of beach nesting Hooded Plovers • Australian Fairy Tern (Sternula nereis) • resides at Roaring Beach, approximately 5 km Hooded Plover (Thinornis rubricollis rubricollis) from the proposed West of Wedge marine farming zone. Australian Fairy Terns are recorded in Storm Bay. There are numerous observations of Swift Parrots in the forests north of Roaring Beach and it is possible that these birds could encounter the proposed West of Wedge development as they cross Storm Bay toward their forest strongholds on Bruny Island and the east coast of Tasmania. Submission #2045 - Marine Finfish Aquaculture Development in Storm Bay (Tasmania) - West of Wedge Island

Species Impact Potential threats to these species from activities associated with the proposed development may include: entanglement in, and ingestion of marine debris (Australian Fairy Tern and Hooded Plover) and collisions with anthropogenic structures (Swift Parrots). Crews in charge of aquaculture operations have strategies in place to limit the amount of marine debris. All staff are routinely reminded of their obligation to limit marine debris through regular team meetings. Shore cleanups and monitoring within and around the proposed lease area by Tassal operational staff and community groups will be undertaken during the winter months (outside of bird nesting and mating periods) and post storm events. Collision-related mortality is cited as a threat to swift parrots and it is possible –although highly unlikely – that swift parrots could collide with associated infrastructure such as boats, sea cages, and feed barges or become entangled in nets. There have been no recorded interactions between swift parrots and marine farming operations throughout the state. Measures to reduce the incidence of bird entanglement include deployment of well-maintained low aperture, high tension bird netting, well- developed bird interaction plans and standard procedures for dealing with bird entanglement. The risk of collision by Swift Parrots with marine farm infrastructure is considered exceptionally low. The risk and consequence of threats to Hooded Plovers, Australian Fairy Terns and Swift Parrots were assessed in the Environmental Risk Assessment (refer to Attachment 7) and concluded to be negligible following the implementation of measures to avoid or reduce impact. Fishes • Red Handfish (Thymichthys politus) • Red and Spotted Handfish currently occupy Spotted Handfish (Brachionichthys hirsutus) highly localised populations in the Fredrick Henry Bay and Derwent Estuary, respectively. There are no known populations in Storm Bay and targeted surveys and searches adjacent to the proposed West of Wedge development failed to detect this species. Nevertheless, known (and unknown) populations may be Submission #2045 - Marine Finfish Aquaculture Development in Storm Bay (Tasmania) - West of Wedge Island

Species Impact affected by changes in water quality that could arise from marine farm emissions. The proposed West of Wedge development has a range of measures in place to minimise inputs of nutrients into the water column and to detect and manage changes to water quality when they arise (i.e. water monitoring, modelling and adherence to water quality thresholds). The risk and consequence of threats to Red and Spotted Handfish were assessed in the Environmental Risk Assessment (refer to Attachment 7) which concluded that there was low risk following the implementation of measures to avoid or reduce impact. Sharks • Great White Shark (Carcharadon The Great White Shark is not recorded in Storm carcharius) Bay but this species is known to periodically enter these waters. Great White Shark interactions with aquaculture are rare (Murray- Jones 2004) and there is no evidence that finfish farming in Tasmanian coastal waters has the potential to attract Great White Sharks. However, given the offshore location of the proposed West of Wedge development, there is the potential for increased interactions with Great White Sharks. This carries a risk of entanglement if these sharks attempt to feed on fish within the marine farm. The proposed West of Wedge development includes a range of measures to reduce the chance of entanglement of marine mammals, sharks and other large marine animals. Sea cages include K-Grid or similar net technology for rigid and strengthened under water infrastructure. These nets facilitate high tension and physical rigidity, which resist penetration of nets by sharks and reduce the chance of entanglement. Mooring lines and nets are regularly inspected for potential entanglement points and repairs and maintenance are carried out immediately. The risk and consequence of threats to Great White Sharks were assessed in the Environmental Risk Assessment (refer to Attachment 7) and concluded to be negligible following the implementation of measures to avoid or reduce impact. Whales • Southern Right Whale (Eubalaena Southern Right Whales and Humpback Whales Submission #2045 - Marine Finfish Aquaculture Development in Storm Bay (Tasmania) - West of Wedge Island

Species Impact australis) • Humpback Whale (Megaptera periodically enter Storm Bay and neighbouring novaeangliae) bays and estuaries as part of traditional migratory routes and for shelter. Potential impacts to these species from activities associated with the proposed development may include: entanglement, vessel and/or infrastructure strike and noise. The measures adopted to reduce the potential for negative interactions with Southern Right and Humpback whales include well maintained and taut underwater netting and mooring structures to reduce the potential for entanglement, speed limits and shut down procedures when whales are present, limiting the use of noise generating equipment when whales are present, formal protocols for dealing with whale interactions and development of early warning methods to alert staff to whales in the region. Measures used by Tassal to avoid and reduce impacts on whales are described in Section 4 and detailed in the Environmental Risk Assessment for the West of Wedge development (refer to Attachment 7). The risk and consequence of threats to Southern Right and Humpback Whales were assessed in the Environmental Risk Assessment, which concluded that there was negligible to low risk following the implementation of measures to avoid or reduce impact. Community • Giant Kelp (Macrocystis pyrifera) Giant kelp populations are relatively abundant Marine Forests of South East Australia in south eastern Tasmania. Based on indirect observations (by Seacare in 1999, and IMAS in 2013), Tassal commissioned targeted dive surveys in the region from 2013 to confirm the presence of this ecological community, improve the understanding of the status and variability of Giant Kelp in the region and to provide a baseline to monitor temporal trends and the effect of fish-farm aquaculture on Giant Kelp health and survival (Marine Solutions & Aquenal 2015). This survey confirmed the presence Giant Kelp communities at all dive sites. Refer to Attachment 8 (uploaded to section 2.14 of this submission) for full report. The primary threats contributing to Giant Kelp Marine Forest decline are changes in sea Submission #2045 - Marine Finfish Aquaculture Development in Storm Bay (Tasmania) - West of Wedge Island

Species Impact surface temperatures associated with a southward shift in the eastern Australian current and browsing by introduced pests. The proposed West of Wedge development may potentially impact Giant Kelp communities through changes in water quality both locally and at a broader scale. Changes in water quality may be beneficial or detrimental to Giant Kelp growth. Measures to mitigate against detrimental changes in water quality include: limiting nutrient inputs into the water column at the fish farm scale, monitoring water quality at the broader scale; development and regulation of water quality indicators; modelling of cumulative impacts across Storm Bay; and support of continued monitoring of Giant Kelp communities within the region. These threats were assessed in an Environmental Risk Assessment framework (refer to Attachment 7) and it was concluded that the proposal presents a low risk to Giant Kelp communities after the implementation of mitigation measures.

2.4.2 Do you consider this impact to be significant?

No

2.5 Is the proposed action likely to have ANY direct or indirect impact on the members of any listed migratory species, or their habitat?

Yes

2.5.1 Impact table

Species Impact Seabirds • Wandering Albatross (Diomedea Seven migratory species of albatross, petrel exulans) • Shy Albatross (Thalassarche cauta and tern species were identified that steadi) • Southern Royal Albatross (Diomedea periodically visit Storm Bay and therefore may epomophora (sensu strict)) • Northern Giant interact with the proposed West of Wedge Petrel (Macronectes halli) • Buller’s Albatross development. The proposed development has (Thalassarche bulleri) • Grey-headed Albatross no overlap with breeding areas or breeding (Thalassarche chrysostoma) • Little Tern habitat for these oceanic species. As discussed (Sterna albifrans) above in Section 2.4, following the Submission #2045 - Marine Finfish Aquaculture Development in Storm Bay (Tasmania) - West of Wedge Island

Species Impact implementation of measures to avoid or reduce impact on coastal and oceanic seabirds, the proposed development will have negligible impact on these species. Sharks • Great White Shark (Carcharadon As discussed above in Section 2.4, following carcharius) the implementation of measures to avoid or reduce impact, the proposed development will have negligible impact on sharks, including Great White Sharks. Whales • Southern Right Whale (Eubalaena Southern Right Whales and Humpback Whales australis) • Humpback Whale (Megaptera periodically enter Storm Bay and neighbouring novaeangliae) • Killer Whale (Orcinus orca) • bays and estuaries as part of traditional Sei whale (Balaenoptera borealis) • Fin whale migratory routes and for shelter. The Sei (Balaenoptera physalus) • Blue whale Whale, Fin Whale and Blue Whale are very (Balaenoptera musculus) rarely recorded in the Storm Bay region. The Killer Whale is not listed as a threatened species but is included here because it is a marine migratory species. The Killer Whale is often found in these waters, but it is an exceptionally wide-ranging species that does not rely on this area as important habitat. Whilst the location of the proposed development is unlikely to restrict migratory movement within these waters, the potential cumulative effects of additional proposed marine farming developments along the western and northern regions of Storm Bay may require additional consideration in respect to potential deflection of whales from known migratory pathways. The measures adopted to reduce the potential for negative interactions with Southern Right and Humpback whales (see above in Section 2.4) are likely to be broadly applicable to the other whale species that occasionally enter Storm Bay (e.g. Sei Whale, Fin Whale, Blue Whale, Killer Whale). As discussed above in Section 2.4, following the implementation of measures to avoid or reduce impact, the proposed development will have negligible to low impact on whales.

2.5.2 Do you consider this impact to be significant? Submission #2045 - Marine Finfish Aquaculture Development in Storm Bay (Tasmania) - West of Wedge Island

No

2.6 Is the proposed action to be undertaken in a marine environment (outside Commonwealth marine areas)?

Yes

2.6.1 Is the proposed action likely to have ANY direct or indirect impact on the Commonwealth marine environment?

No

2.6.2 Describe the nature and extent of the likely impact on the whole of the environment.

Potential adverse environmental impacts from finfish aquaculture on the natural environment include:

-Impacts to water quality from dissolved nutrient emissions

-Impacts to substrates and benthic infauna directly beneath cages from solid emissions (i.e. feed and faecal deposition)

-Impacts to marine vegetation from soluble nutrient emissions

-Interactions with wildlife (i.e. birds and marine mammals).

Tassal acknowledges that environmental impacts from finfish aquaculture emissions in Tasmanian coastal waterways can occur – and these impacts may be visible at the near-field spatial scale (predominantly on the seafloor within marine farm lease areas). Management and regulatory controls (through the Tasmanian EPA) are in place to ensure that there are no unacceptable environmental impacts extending beyond 35 metres outside the boundary of marine farming leases. If a significant impact is detected within or outside the lease areas from compliance monitoring surveys, targeted management responses may be required, in addition to possible further investigation and depositional modelling as directed by the regulator.

There has been a range of significant improvements over the last 22 years in the management of impacts from finfish aquaculture in Tasmania, resulting in improved water quality and sediment health. This has been observed through improvements in feeding practices, feed formulation and better understanding fish behaviour through improved technology (i.e. underwater cameras and real time water quality sensors). In addition, siting marine farm leases in waters of suitable depth, with sufficient flushing rates is also known to mitigate impacts on the environment.

The high energy environment in Storm Bay (current flows and wind), combined with a naturally high dissolved oxygen (DO) concentration of the marine waters means that the environmental risks associated with the proposed West of Wedge development are considerably reduced compared to other farming areas where the natural environmental conditions are known to take Submission #2045 - Marine Finfish Aquaculture Development in Storm Bay (Tasmania) - West of Wedge Island longer to assimilate emissions. Nevertheless, Tassal will take a conservative approach to production within Storm Bay to enable an assessment of how the surrounding ecosystems respond to the effects of finfish farming within these exposed waters.

Tassal will adopt a staged approach to salmon production at the proposed West of Wedge development to ensure there is evidence that the physical environment is capable of supporting operations within the region. As such, Tassal proposes to operate at a production capacity which reflects a more conservative approach within the existing Nubeena and proposed West of Wedge development sites. Tassal will continue to monitor a range of environmental parameters and will conduct a range of installation trials prior to any consideration of operating at its full TPDNO allocation.

The proposed Storm Bay developments are located in exposed, high-energy waters and it is unlikely that the environmental effects from dissolved emissions would impact upon reef communities or sensitive habitats within Storm Bay. Hydrodynamic simulations describing the combined dispersions of farm derived soluble emissions for the proposed developments also suggest that the receiving environment is highly dispersive and although soluble emissions are shown to be wide-spread they are in low concentrations. Studies have shown environmental impacts from emissions to be restricted to a scale of hundreds of metres, and therefore are not anticipated to result in significant or broadscale effects to the water quality characteristics or ecosystem structure and function within Storm Bay or nearby reef communities.

Potential impacts to MNES may occur because of the physical marine farming structures, or through marine operations associated with farming finfish. Finfish farming structures - may potentially cause entanglement, impede the movement, reduce the available habitat or affect the behavioural change of listed or threatened migratory species. In addition, operating vessels within the vicinity of marine farms may collide with (or strike) listed or threatened migratory species (such as cetaceans, sharks or coastal birds).

Finfish farming operations - may potentially impact upon listed threatened or migratory species through nutrient discharge (and accumulation of emissions), modification of habitat (noise or lighting), entanglement or ingestion of marine debris and potential chemical spills. These potential impacts would apply to listed and threatened migratory species (such as Giant kelp, cetaceans, sharks, fishes and birds).

The potential impacts listed above are assessed as part of a broader risk asssessment of the propsed action on MNES in Storm Bay (uploaded as Attachment 7).

With the implementation of an appropriate monitoring and management framework to mitigate against the known potential environmental effects of finfish aquaculture, it is considered that the proposed development would not result in any significant environmental impacts to the waters of Storm Bay within the immediate vicinity of Tassal’s proposed zone and surrounding waters. A more complete description of the potential environmental impacts associated with the proposed West of Wedge development found in Attachment 6 (a-e) uploaded to section 1.14.1 of this submission

. Submission #2045 - Marine Finfish Aquaculture Development in Storm Bay (Tasmania) - West of Wedge Island

2.6.3 Do you consider this impact to be significant?

No

2.7 Is the proposed action to be taken on or near Commonwealth land?

No

2.8 Is the proposed action taking place in the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park?

No

2.9 Is the proposed action likely to have ANY direct or indirect impact on a water resource related to coal/gas/mining?

No

2.10 Is the proposed action a nuclear action?

No

2.11 Is the proposed action to be taken by the Commonwealth agency?

No

2.12 Is the proposed action to be undertaken in a Commonwealth Heritage Place Overseas?

No

2.13 Is the proposed action likely to have ANY direct or indirect impact on any part of the environment in the Commonwealth marine area?

No Submission #2045 - Marine Finfish Aquaculture Development in Storm Bay (Tasmania) - West of Wedge Island

Section 3 - Description of the project area

Provide a description of the project area and the affected area, including information about the following features (where relevant to the project area and/or affected area, and to the extent not otherwise addressed in Section 2).

3.1 Describe the flora and fauna relevant to the project area.

Marine vegetation

The proposed development will occur within an exposed, high-energy marine environment with no marine vegetation.

Marine vegetation communities are relatively abundant in south eastern Tasmania. The adjacent rocky coastline of Wedge Island (1.8 km to the east), and the eastern shore of Storm Bay host a diverse assemblage of macroalgal species which are strongly influenced by prevailing swell action. Reefs on highly exposed coastline on the western side of Wedge Island would be expected to be dominated by large brown algae (assemblages dominated by Durvillea potatorum, Lessonia corrugata and Phyllospora comosa in shallow water < 10 m, and by Ecklonia radiata in deeper water > 10 m). Reefs subject to less swell action would be expected to be typified by ‘mixed algal assemblages’ and would occur on the more sheltered eastern side of Wedge Island (Edgar 1984). It should be noted that Lessonia corrugata tends to be the dominant brown algae in shallow water (e.g. 5-10 m) throughout eastern Storm Bay, whereas Phyllospora comosa is much more common elsewhere in Tasmania.

Subtidal surveys of macroalgal communities were undertaken in eastern Storm Bay during 2015 as part of the FRDC funded project ‘Understanding broadscale impacts of salmonid farming on rocky reef communities’ (Valentine et al. 2016); refer to Attachment 9 (uploaded to section 3.1.1 of this submission). Tassal has also commissioned surveys of marine vegetation communities at sites around the Tasman Peninsula, including the northern coastline of Wedge Island to improve understanding of the status and variability of Giant Kelp (Macrocystis pyrifera) communities in the area (see Attachment 8 uploaded to section 2.14 of this submission). The survey sites in both studies were slightly less exposed to swell compared with the Wedge Island area but do provide a good indication of the species likely to occur along the coastline adjacent to the proposed West of Wedge development.

Benthic fauna

Diverse assemblages of invertebrates were recorded during benthic samples in and around the proposed West of Wedge development, with no strong patterns in community composition across the extent of the survey area (Aquenal, 2016); refer Attachment 10 (uploaded to section 3.1.1 of this submission). A range of faunal groups were observed in the sediment samples including anthozoans, crustaceans (e.g. amphipods, cumaceans, decapods, ostracods, tanaids), molluscs, echinoderms and polychaete worms. One of the most common taxa Submission #2045 - Marine Finfish Aquaculture Development in Storm Bay (Tasmania) - West of Wedge Island recorded was the bivalve Glycymeris striatularis. Other prominent taxa included anthozoans (Family Edwardsiidae), brittle stars (Ophiura kinbergi) and trumpet worms (Family Pectinariidae). The full species list is attached (refer Attachment 11 uploaded to section 3.1.1).

Fish

Tassal voluntarily commissioned baited remote underwater video (BRUV) surveys to improve understanding of fish communities within the proposed West of Wedge development zone. Surveys were conducted inside each of the four proposed lease areas. The objective of the surveys was to document the diversity of fish species occurring within the proposed development zone (refer to Attachment 12 uploaded to section 3.1.1).

Southern sand flathead (Platycephalus bassensis) and southern school whiting (Sillago bassensis) were the most prominent species observed. Additional species recorded included barracouta (Thyrsites atun), common gurnard perch (Neosebastes scorpaenoides) and spikey dogfish (Squalus megalops). The full species list is attached (refer to Attachment 11).

Birds

Storm Bay provides a range of habitat types for a variety of bird species. Due to the level of exposure to oceanic conditions and proximity to remote islands, seabirds, coastal shorebirds and scavengers (i.e. silver gulls) are the dominant species. These birds use this habitat to forage and feed, or as part of their seasonal migration route. Breeding sites for many of the migratory seabird species known to occur in Storm Bay extend from Bass Strait islands (i.e. Albatross Island) in the north to sub-Antarctic islands in the south (i.e. Macquarie Island).

The list of bird species was compiled for the area with the assistance of BirdLife Tasmania and represents species observed within the Storm Bay region, as well as those recorded within 10 km from the mid-point of the proposed zone (refer to Attachment 11)

There is a range of terrestrial/woodland species included on this list because they are known to occur within 10 km of the proposed West of Wedge development. It is possible that their range and/or preferred habitat could extend west of the Tasman Peninsula, across Storm Bay to other parts of Tasmania.

Marine mammals

Storm Bay is known to host a range of marine mammals that reside, feed, forage and migrate within this waterway – for some species these activities occur regularly, others intermittently or even rarely. While some marine mammals (such as the Australian and Long-nosed Fur-seals) may be considered as resident species, other species (such as the Southern Right and Humpback Whales) are seasonal visitors during their annual migration, and long-range visitors (such as Killer Whales, Southern Elephant and Leopard Seals and the Australian Sea lion) occur unexpectedly on rare occasions (DPIPWE, 2015). A full species list of the marine mammal known to inhabit the waters of Storm Bay is attached (refer to Attachment 11).

Australian and Long-nosed Fur-seals have established haul out and breeding sites around the Submission #2045 - Marine Finfish Aquaculture Development in Storm Bay (Tasmania) - West of Wedge Island more remote, exposed locations along Tasmania’s coast and offshore islands. There are approximately twelve known haul out sites (Australian and Long-nosed Fur-seals) between Sugarloaf Rocks (just south of Port Davey) in Tasmania’s south west extending east to Hippolyte Rock off the Tasman Peninsula. The closest haul out site from proposed West of Wedge development is approximately 16 km at Cape Raoul. Other haul out sites to the west (The Friars off Bruny Island) and east (Hippolyte Rock) are located approximately 50 km from where West of Wedge development is proposed.

Southern Elephant Seals are rare visitors to Tasmanian coastal waters – their closest breeding area is Macquarie Island. However, there have been a number of observations (as listed in the Tasmanian Natural Values Atlas) recorded along Tasmania’s south coast, including the upper reaches of the D’Entrecasteaux Channel and Storm Bay.

Leopard seals breed on the Antarctic pack ice and range from the Antarctic coast to the sub- Antarctic and sub-tropical seas. An average of five Leopard seals visit the coast of Tasmania each year, but up to 18 have been sighted in a single year (1990) (DPIPWE, 2015). Similar to the Southern Elephant Seal, the Tasmanian Natural Values Atlas includes a number of Leopard Seal sightings dating back to the mid-1970s, most of which have been recorded along Tasmania’s south coast, including the upper reaches of the D’Entrecasteaux Channel and Storm Bay.

The Australian Sea-Lion has a breeding range which extends from islands off Western Australia to islands east of Kangaroo Island (South Australia) and also occur in Tasmanian waters on rare occasions. Documented records of their presence in Tasmanian waters are likely to be an underestimate of actual numbers because they are morphologically similar to local seal species (DPIPWE, 2015).

Bottle-nosed Dolphins and Common Dolphins are the most frequently observed cetaceans in Tasmanian waters and are commonly seen feeding and foraging in Storm Bay. The Southern Right and Humpback Whales are migratory species that visit Tasmanian coastal waters on their way from the summer subantarctic feeding grounds. Storm Bay is likely to be a transit point for marine mammals entering sheltered estuaries as part of their seasonal migration patterns.

The Killer Whale may be seen in any marine region, occurring throughout its vast oceanic range, between equatorial regions and polar pack ice zones, and has even been observed in the River Derwent in 2010 and 2015. Their abundance is usually greatest in coastal waters and cooler regions where productivity is high (Dahlheim & Heyning 1999).

3.2 Describe the hydrology relevant to the project area (including water flows).

Hydrology Submission #2045 - Marine Finfish Aquaculture Development in Storm Bay (Tasmania) - West of Wedge Island

Storm Bay is a large deep bay that receives freshwater inflow from the River Derwent on its north-western boundary and exchanges water with Frederick Henry Bay on its north-eastern boundary. The eastern and western boundaries are defined by the Tasman Peninsula and Bruny Island, respectively, and the southern boundary connects with the Tasman Sea. This area is a mixing zone between the River Derwent outflow and oceanic waters.

The oceanography in Storm Bay is complex and is characterized by large fluctuations in temperature, salinity and nutrients on variable temporal and spatial scales. This is due to the southerly extension of warm nutrient-depleted sub-tropical waters transported via the East Australian Current (EAC) down the east coast of Tasmania over summer, whilst the south and south-west coasts are influenced by cooler, nutrient-rich sub-Antarctic waters from the south and the Leeuwin Current from the north-west (Buchanan et al. 2014).

The waters of Storm Bay are strongly influenced by the interactions between the major biological assemblages of the water column and the dynamics of the large-scale (regional) oceanography. Waters to the north and east of Storm Bay are relatively warm, stratified, subtropical and nutrient depleted. Waters to the south and west can be characterised as cool, mixed, subantarctic and rich in nutrients (Crawford et al. 2011). Like most continental shelves, primary production in Storm Bay is stimulated both by nutrients supplied from oceanic sources and by nutrient regeneration on the shelf (Rochford 1984).

The proposed West of Wedge development is located between approximately 1.8 km and 5.5 km west of Wedge Island, which is itself approximately 800m from the closest point of the eastern shore of Storm Bay, at the southern end of the mouth of Wedge Bay. The eastern shoreline of Storm Bay is convoluted, consisting of rocky headlands and intertidal zones, interspersed with sandy beaches. The bathymetry shows depth predominantly increasing with increasing distance from shore.

Water movement in Storm Bay is driven by a range of influences including, but not necessarily limited to:

- wind driven surface currents

- tidal influences

- oceanic wave (swell) exposure

- barometric pressure

- current flows from the Derwent Estuary

Wind

A 30-year hindcast model predicting wind direction and speed centered within the proposed West of Wedge development (43.136S 147.636E) shows the majority of winds are from the north, through west to south west, with only a small portion of winds being from the east. This is consistent with the proposed leases being partly sheltered from easterly winds by the Tasman Submission #2045 - Marine Finfish Aquaculture Development in Storm Bay (Tasmania) - West of Wedge Island

Peninsula (refer to Figure 2 in Attachment 13 uploaded to section 3.2.1 of this submission).

This is also consistent with the combined 9am and 3pm wind roses for Palmers Lookout (Tasman Peninsula) and Hobart Airport, which both show winds dominating from the westerly quadrant, and overlaid with local topographic effects (refer to Figures 3 and 4 in Attachment 13).

Tidal influences

Tidal influences around Storm Bay are thought to be relatively small. The mixed semi-diurnal tide has an approximate maximum range of 1.5 m. Tidal circulation in the lower Derwent and Storm Bay shows a general circulation pattern of predominantly clockwise water movement (modelled using Tidetech subscriber product, www.tidetech.org). The proposed West of Wedge development is not expected to be significantly impacted by tidal influences.

Swell influences

Storm Bay is subject to swell from the Southern Ocean, primarily from the south. It also is subject to westerly swells which refract around the southern tip of Tasmania and enter Storm Bay.

A 30-year hindcast model predicting wave heights and directions every 4 hours centered within the proposed West of Wedge development indicated a maximum significant wave height of 6.18 m, and a maximum combined sea and swell wave height in excess of 12 m over a 30-year period (refer to Figure 5 in Attachment 13).

The location for which the model was run is considered an accurate representation of swell conditions at the proposed development site.

Barometric influences

Tidal predictions in Tasmania are provided by the National Tidal Centre at Flinders University, and are based on the average barometric pressure in Tasmania being 1017 hPa. For each hPa above 1017, the tide will be 1 cm below the predicted height, while for each hPa below 1017, the tide will be 1 cm above the predicted height.

Barometric pressures between 980 hPa and 1035 hPa are not uncommon in Tasmania, therefore the tide height can be influenced over 0.5 m by the barometric pressure. This variation in tide height is not expected to fundamentally change the current velocities or directions for the proposed West of Wedge development.

Connectivity

To assist in understanding the circulation and connectivity in Storm Bay and the potential ecological impacts associated with the proposed West of Wedge development (as well as the cumulative impacts from other proposed marine farming zones in Storm Bay), DPIPWE commissioned IMAS to process a range of modelled simulations (using CONNIE3 – a hydrodynamic model developed by the CSIRO) to describe the patterns of dispersion of farm Submission #2045 - Marine Finfish Aquaculture Development in Storm Bay (Tasmania) - West of Wedge Island derived dissolved nutrients. These outputs describe Tassal’s proposal specific emissions, and provide useful insight into the consideration of potential ecological effects from the proposed feed inputs.

CONNIE3 possesses the capacity to examine and describe the connectivity associated with marine environments using an existing hydrodynamic model, and in this instance, modelled outputs were generated to determine the fate and dispersion pattern of known nutrient loads added to the Storm Bay system (refer Attachment 14 uploaded to section 3.2.1 of this submission).

Modelled simulations describing the dispersion of farm derived dissolved nutrients from Tassal’s proposed West of Wedge development support the view that the receiving environment within Storm Bay is highly dispersive (diluting) with nutrient concentrations being rapidly reduced to <1.0% of the total output within a localised area (i.e. in close proximity to the lease areas). This pattern of dispersion is consistent with previous studies that investigated water movement within the Storm Bay region (Crawford et al. 2011), with nutrient emissions from Tassal’s proposed West of Wedge development generally being restricted within the mid to south-east sectors of Storm Bay and an overall flow effect in a south easterly direction along and down the eastern side of the Tasman Peninsula.

The proposed development is situated above sandy substrates in a well-mixed area of Storm Bay, where depth is approximately 40 m, and is approximately 1.8 km from the nearest rocky coast (Wedge Island). The immediate environment surrounding the proposed zone does not represent an area where the impacts from elevated dissolved nitrogen emissions on water quality are considered to have a significant or adverse impact on ecosystem structure and function within this area. This is supported by monthly monitoring data collected adjacent to an existing marine farm at Creeses Mistake, Nubeena, where no adverse environmental or biological impacts from dissolved nitrogen emissions have been observed within and around the vicinity of the farm over time.

Vertical water currents

Water movement at the proposed West of Wedge development has a variety of influencing factors including local and broadscale currents, wind, swell and tidal influences. Water movement was measured using an Acoustic Doppler Current Profiler (ADCP) deployed within the proposed West of Wedge development area from October 2016 to November 2016. The data collected from the ADCP provides up-to-date current direction and velocity information through the water column.

The average current velocity is faster in the middle of the water column (10-20 m and 20-30 m) than at the shallowest (surface: 0-10 m) and deepest (bottom: 30-40 m) depth intervals.

Surface and bottom water are strongly dominated by north/north-westerly flows at a speed ranging from 0-0.2 m/s. Flows in the middle of the water column are dominated by north- westerly flows at a speed of 0.1-0.3 m/s.

Current speeds were generally higher in the surface waters than at depth. Peak current speeds Submission #2045 - Marine Finfish Aquaculture Development in Storm Bay (Tasmania) - West of Wedge Island recorded were above 1.2 m/sec and this likely reflects a surface current in addition to wave influences in moving water over a short period of time.

These current flows reflect the high energy environment and provide an effective means for assisting the distribution and assimilation of emissions. Despite the complex interaction of wind, tide and swell influences, the directionality of currents appears well defined. Current flows were bi-directional and largely in the north-west and south-east direction.

Tassal will continue to collect velocity and current data in the area in order to gain a clearer understanding of the dynamic and exposed nature of this environment. These data will be periodically collected and updated and will feed into ongoing depositional modelling at the site. These datasets will also be supplied to marine engineers to be used in determining mooring specifications in this exposed location.

3.3 Describe the soil and vegetation characteristics relevant to the project area.

The proposed development will occur within an exposed, offshore marine environment at depths ranging from 40 m to 50 m. The substrate in the area of the proposed development consists entirely of ridged sand, with no benthic vegetation (Aquenal 2016).

Benthic habitat mapping was conducted by Aquenal (2016); refer to Attachment 10 (uploaded to section 3.1.1 of this submission) within the proposed West of Wedge development area and included bathymetry, video and sediment surveys. In summary, surveys showed the seabed to be relatively featureless and characterised by dark orange brown sand with shell grit throughout the survey area. The composition of the substrate and the lack of vegetation, combined with observations of rippling across the entire area is consistent with high exposure to swell and high seabed current velocities in the Wedge Island area, and suggests that the seabed will have good recovery rates during fallowing periods.

3.4 Describe any outstanding natural features and/or any other important or unique values relevant to the project area.

The proposed West of Wedge development lies approximately 6 km to the north-east of the Tasman National Park. This park covers over 10,800 Ha of the Tasman Peninsula, mostly comprising the southern coastal extremities of the Tasman Peninsula.

The Tasman National Park is one of 19 National Parks in Tasmania and features a unique dry sclerophyll forest estate and world-class scenic walks along a landscape dominated by sea cliffs and coastal bays. The Park also contains high natural values that include threatened and priority floral and faunal communities, natural landscapes and sites of geoconservation.

Other conservation areas occurring in the area of the proposed West of Wedge development include:

- Wedge Island Conservation Area Submission #2045 - Marine Finfish Aquaculture Development in Storm Bay (Tasmania) - West of Wedge Island

- Crooked Billet Bay Conservation Area

- Roaring Beach Conservation Area

- Apex Point Conservation Area

- North Passage Point Conservation Area

- Brother and Sister Conservation Area

The coastal strip adjacent to the proposed development (including Wedge Island) is zoned as environmental management but is primarily allocated as conservation area. Land zoned as rural resource and the Tasman National Park form significant areas adjacent to the coastal reserves and low-density residential developments that comprise the White Beach community.

3.5 Describe the status of native vegetation relevant to the project area.

The proposed West of Wedge development will occur within an exposed, high-energy marine environment, with the eastern boundary approximately 1.8 km from the nearest coast (western side of Wedge Island) and at depths ranging from 37 to 47 m over sandy substrate, and as such, there is no native vegetation found within the proposed development boundaries.

The adjacent rocky coastline of Wedge Island (1.8 km to the east), and the eastern shore of Storm Bay host a diverse assemblage of macroalgal species. Tassal has commissioned surveys of marine vegetation communities at sites around the Tasman Peninsula, including the northern coastline of Wedge Island, to improve understanding of the status and variability of Giant Kelp communities in the area and identify changes over time. Surveys commenced in 2013 and were repeated in 2015. These surveys have shown that M. pyrifera canopy cover and density was lower at all survey sites in 2015 when compared with the 2013 survey (Aquenal and Marine Solutions 2015; refer to Attachment 8 uploaded to section 2.14). This pattern was regardless of proximity to fish farms or season.

The potential for the proposed West of Wedge development to significantly impact on marine plant communities within the area is low. The proposed development area is located far enough away from these communities to not adversely or significantly impact on their ecological structure and function. Tassal will continue to monitor marine vegetation assemblages, including M. pyrifera communities, in and around the Tasman Peninsula area.

3.6 Describe the gradient (or depth range if action is to be taken in a marine area) relevant to the project area. Submission #2045 - Marine Finfish Aquaculture Development in Storm Bay (Tasmania) - West of Wedge Island

Storm Bay forms the entrance to the River Derwent and is bordered by Bruny Island to the west and the Tasman Peninsula to the east. The majority of Storm Bay ranges in depth from 30 to 85 m. Bathymetric mapping of the proposed West of Wedge development area established that depths range from 35 to 47 m at the site (Aquenal 2016). The seabed is gently sloping, with the shallowest section in the north-east section of the proposed development area, getting progressively deeper towards the south-west.

3.7 Describe the current condition of the environment relevant to the project area.

There are no marine reserves within the region and the area is mainly used by larger commercial shipping vessels, commercial and revreational fishing vessels and intermittently during ocean yacht racing events.

The ecosystem of the Storm Bay region represents a ‘slightly to moderately disturbed system’ (ANZECC 2000). The aquatic ecosystem has been subject to adverse impacts to a relatively small degree by human activities, but the marine habitats and biological communities remain largely intact. The current condition of the environment relevant to the proposed West of Wedge development area has been the focus of numerous studies and is well described.

Physical, chemical and biological parameters have been measured in Storm Bay as part of a number of studies – most significantly through the CSIRO and IMAS, and more recently, as part of their INFORMD (Inshore Network For Observation and Management: Derwent-Huon) collaboration. The studies undertaken by Clementson et al. (1989) and Crawford et al. (2011) have provided detailed information on the variability of the hydrology and biology of Storm Bay, particularly in relation to how changing environmental conditions affect stratification of the water column, nutrient cycling, primary production and food web dynamics in the Bay.

Intrusions of subtropical or subantarctic water have been shown to dramatically alter the nutrient regime in Storm Bay. This is well demonstrated by the decline in dissolved nutrients on occasions when warm, higher salinity subtropical water masses emanating from the East Australian Current (EAC) flood the shelf regions of southern Tasmania. Nutrient-rich subantarctic waters were typically more prominent in winter when the flow was predominantly from the south-west (Crawford et al. 2011).

Extensive surveys of macroalgal communities were undertaken in eastern Storm Bay during 2015 as part of the FRDC-funded project ‘Understanding broadscale impacts of salmonid farming on rocky reef communities’. Macroalgal communities at the sites in eastern Storm Bay were characterised by sub-maximal and moderate wave exposure and consisted of mixed algal communities, dominated by Phyllospora. This study provides a valuable reference of macroalgal communities of south-east Tasmania, as well as a long-term dataset using consistent methodology against which future changes in the region can be assessed.

Another FRDC-funded project ‘Marine currents, nutrients and plankton in the coastal waters of south eastern Tasmania and responses to changing weather patterns’ provides comprehensive baseline data on water quality and plankton composition and abundance, based on data collected between 2009 and 2015 (Swadling et al. 2017). This study of the environmental Submission #2045 - Marine Finfish Aquaculture Development in Storm Bay (Tasmania) - West of Wedge Island conditions in Storm Bay revealed the water column to be a healthy productive system that supports considerable planktonic diversity. This study also provides an extensive dataset for the area that will be invaluable for reliable predictive modelling of conditions in the future.

In 2014, Tassal commissioned an independent water quality monitoring program specifically for the eastern part of Storm Bay and established five sampling stations: two in the vicinity of existing lease areas (MF190 Creeses Mistake and MF193 Badgers Cove), along with a site located in the sheltered waters of White Beach, a distant, exposed location west of Wedge Island and a site north of Wedge Island. The latter site represents a reference location where water quality characteristics are considered to be unaffected by coastal anthropogenic activities (i.e. land based run-off, wastewater treatment facilities and aquaculture feed inputs) and is located close to the proposed West of Wedge development.

The parameters studied in this monitoring program include nutrient concentration, physical water quality characteristics (i.e. temperature, salinity and dissolved oxygen) and phytoplankton community assemblages. These were selected on the basis that they are consistent with those measured in the Broadscale Environmental Monitoring Program (BEMP) in the D’Entrecasteaux Channel and Huon Estuary, and reflect those parameters of significant relevance to the aquaculture industry and regulatory bodies. Water quality monitoring at surface and bottom waters at each of these five sites in eastern Storm Bay has continued on a monthly basis since February 2014 and can be found as Attachment 15 uploaded to section 3.2.1 of this submission). This water quality monitoring program will continue as part of Tassal’s regulatory framework to measure potential impacts from fish farming activities.

3.8 Describe any Commonwealth Heritage Places or other places recognised as having heritage values relevant to the project area.

Tassal has conducted a search of the Tasmanian Heritage Register (a register of places that are recognised as being of historic cultural heritage significance to the whole of Tasmania, Heritage Tasmania 2016) and of the local government planning scheme heritage schedules. Of the 41 registered sites within the Tasman Council municipality, none of these are located within the proposed West of Wedge development or surrounding area. The closest registered heritage sites to the proposed development are the Cascade Probation Station at Koonya (15 kilometres away), the UNESCO World Heritage Coal Mines Historic Site at Saltwater River (14 kilometres away) and, the UNESCO World Heritage Port Arthur Penal Settlement at Port Arthur (16 kilometres away). There are no scheduled historic sites within or in close proximity to the proposed West of Wedge development.

3.9 Describe any Indigenous heritage values relevant to the project area.

Aboriginal Heritage Tasmania (AHT) completed a search of the Aboriginal Heritage Register (AHR) regarding the proposed West of Wedge development and advised Tassal that no Aboriginal heritage sites are recorded in the area.

Accordingly there is no requirement for an Aboriginal Heritage investigation and AHT have no Submission #2045 - Marine Finfish Aquaculture Development in Storm Bay (Tasmania) - West of Wedge Island objection to the proposed development proceeding.

Refer to Attachment 2 uploaded in section 1.13.1 of this submission for the email correspondence with AHT.

3.10 Describe the tenure of the action area (e.g. freehold, leasehold) relevant to the project area.

The proposed action is currently being considered under the Marine Farming Planning Act 1995 for the development and approval of marine farming development plans. The proposed action title under these proceeding is Draft Amendment No. 5 to the Tasman Peninsula and Norfolk Bay Marine Farming Development Plan. Approval of this proposed development under the Marine Planning Act 1995 would result in an extension of the Tasman Peninsula and Norfolk Bay Marine Farming Development Plan to include the proposed development area and also, result in four new active marine farming leases with associated licences. The licences, when in force, authorizes the holder to carry on marine farming within the lease area in accordance with conditions and restrictions specified in the licence schedules.

3.11 Describe any existing or any proposed uses relevant to the project area.

There is a range of existing uses of the marine environment within the project area. These include commercial and recreational boating and fishing; recreational activities and tourism.

Commercial fishing activity within the proposed West of Wedge development area is considered to be limited. Whilst the key Tasmanian wild fishery sectors (i.e. abalone, rock lobster and scalefish) continue to record catches from fishing blocks adjacent proposed development area, these catches represent a minor component of overall fishery production for each of these sectors as the proposed development is over unconsolidated/unvegetated sandy sediments.

Recreational vessels and fishers utilise the area in and around the proposed West of Wedge development. The proposed development will not remove the potential for accessing both fishing areas and recreational fishing species within the broader Storm Bay region.

There are marine-based commercial tourism operations on the Tasman Peninsula, the majority of which operate from Port Arthur and Eaglehawk Neck. Some marine-based tourism operators utilise the area in the vicinity of the proposed West of Wedge development intermittently. More generally, the Storm Bay area surrounding Wedge Island is popular for boating, fishing and yachting as well as diving and kayaking. Submission #2045 - Marine Finfish Aquaculture Development in Storm Bay (Tasmania) - West of Wedge Island

Section 4 - Measures to avoid or reduce impacts

Provide a description of measures that will be implemented to avoid, reduce, manage or offset any relevant impacts of the action. Include, if appropriate, any relevant reports or technical advice relating to the feasibility and effectiveness of the proposed measures.

Examples of relevant measures to avoid or reduce impacts may include the timing of works, avoidance of important habitat, specific design measures, or adoption of specific work practices.

4.1 Describe the measures you will undertake to avoid or reduce impact from your proposed action.

A risk assessment process has been used to identify whether the proposed action of the West of Wedge development would significantly impact upon any Matter of National Environmental Significance (MNES). Significant Impact Criteria were used against each of the species and threatened communities identified as potentially interacting with the proposed action, or where their habitat may be impacted from the marine farming activities. The proposed action is considered unlikely to impact on any MNES identified in this process. Refer to Attachment 7 (uploaded to section 2.14 of this submission) for details on the risk assessment.

This same risk assessment process described above was also used in a cumulative impact context incorporating all three Tasmanian salmonid development proposals within Storm Bay and assessing the cumulative impact of these actions against the Significant Impact Criteria. The cumulative action from the three proposed developments in Storm Bay is considered unlikely to impact on any MNES identified in this process. Refer to Attachment 16 (uploaded to section 4.3 of this submission) for the full details of this cumulative risk assessment.

The monitoring of salmon farms in Tasmania is more comprehensive than that in most other parts of the world and is based on rigorous and broad-ranging research and monitoring that has been ongoing for over 20 years. The success of this integrated research background has been enhanced through very strong links between government, industry and researchers and has resulted in a robust regulatory framework for salmon farming in Tasmania, controlled by DPIPWE and the EPA under the Environmental Management and Pollution Control Act 1994 (EMPCA), the Marine Farming Planning Act 1995 (MFPA) and the Living Marine Resources Management Act 1995 (LMRMA).

Tassal possess an extremely sound record of environmental management, and has achieved certification to the Aquaculture Stewardship Council (ASC) Standards for all its harvest (grow- out) leases. Through this program, Tassal has continued to minimise the environmental and social footprint by addressing key impacts and continuing to improve its environmental performance. In meeting Principle 2 of the ASC Standards – Conserve natural habitat, local biodiversity and ecosystem function, Tassal continues to ensure that its farms have minimal impact on populations of wildlife. This is undertaken by adopting best practice management of Submission #2045 - Marine Finfish Aquaculture Development in Storm Bay (Tasmania) - West of Wedge Island marine farming operations, understanding when to take action, and reducing the risk of potential interactions through continual improvement processes.

Tassal adopts a range of measures to prevent unnecessary interactions with MNES (i.e. Giant kelp, birds, cetaceans, sharks and fishes), including:

- Adoption of feeding practices that maximise food conversion rations and minimise waste emissions

- Exclusion of predators (i.e. seals) and birds from entering sea cages (use of appropriate netting technologies, such as K-grid)

- Dedicated wildlife management team to control wildlife interactions and design non-lethal predator control plans

- Design of sea cage configurations and net technologies to avoid entanglement of MNES and escape of farmed salmon

- Routine and regular inspections of sea cage configuration and associated equipment

- Adoption of biosecurity protocols and farm hygiene practices at all sites

- Implementation of Fish Health Management Plans and Protocols

- Minimise discharge of waste to the marine environment wherever possible

- Broadscale monitoring of water quality and reef communities

- Implementation of mitigation management measures to avoid potential impacts (i.e. vessel strike, noise disturbance or entanglement) on listed and threatened migratory whales through:

- Training of Tassal personnel in marine mammal identification and marine mammal observer protocols.

- Implementation of appropriate notification or response protocols (to Marine Conservation Program - DPIPWE) when listed or threatened migratory whales are observed within the vicinity of the proposed development area, or during the course of activities associated with marine farming operations at the proposed development (i.e. vessel movements between land-base and marine leases).

- Use of navigational sonar on vessels when servicing the proposed lease areas outside of daylight hours (daylight hours = time between first light and last light).

- Routine inspections of marine farming infrastructure (ropes, lines, nets and moorings) to ensure that all infrastructure is kept taut and any potential for entanglement is minimised.

- Implementation of shutdown protocols (consistent with the standard operational Submission #2045 - Marine Finfish Aquaculture Development in Storm Bay (Tasmania) - West of Wedge Island procedures for shut-down protocols outlined in the Underwater Piling Noise Guidelines - Government of South Australia) in the event that a listed or threatened migratory whale is sighted within 1 km of sea cages.

In addition to the internal measures, Tassal would also comply with all regulatory management controls and licence conditions used to satisfactorily manage or mitigate any negative environmental effects from marine farming activities. These include:

- Controls limiting the Total Permissible Dissolved Nitrogen Output (TPDNO) – this is the primary management tool proposed by the Environmental Protection Authority (the environmental regulator for finfish in Tasmania) to control the amount of salmon produced within a region. Tassal’s proposed TPDNO allocation represents 30% of the total industry-wide TPDNO allocation considered for all proposed finfish developments within Storm Bay. Tassal is committed to adopting a staged approach to salmon production at the proposed West of Wedge development (in consultation with the DPIPWE and EPA) to ensure there is evidence that the physical environment is capable of supporting operations within the region. As such, Tassal proposes to operate at a production capacity which reflects a more conservative approach within the existing Nubeena and proposed West of Wedge development sites. Tassal will undertake a range of environmental monitoring and modelling studies prior to any consideration of operating at its full TPDNO allocation.

- Environmental controls relating to environmental monitoring – refer to Attachment 17 (uploaded to section 4.3 of this submission) for the full details of the statutory environmental monitoring and management program.

- Controls to ensure there are no unacceptable impacts 35 meters outside of the boundary of the lease area

- Environmental controls relating to carrying capacity

- Chemical controls

- Disease controls

- Visual controls

- Access controls

- Reporting controls

Tassal considers that the full range of mitigation measures that it currently implements throughout its operations, both voluntary (i.e. ASC) and for regulatory purposes (i.e. through the Tasmanian EPA), in conjunction with the avoidance and mitigation measures provided in section 7 of the EIS (Attachment 18 uploaded to section 4.3 of this submission) are comprehensive, and provide a high degree of confidence that Tassal’s proposed West of Wedge development will not significantly impact on any MNES. Submission #2045 - Marine Finfish Aquaculture Development in Storm Bay (Tasmania) - West of Wedge Island

4.2 For matters protected by the EPBC Act that may be affected by the proposed action, describe the proposed environmental outcomes to be achieved.

A number of listed threatened and migratory species (under the EPBCA and TSPA) are known to occur in and around Storm Bay. An assessment of the known risks to these species has determined that development of this proposed zone would not pose any significant impact to these species.

Tassal is committed to achieving the following proposed environmental outcomes:

Outcome 1. There will be no significant impact to the MNES

Outcome 2. The proposed action will not result in population decrease in the size of an important population of a listed or migratory species

Outcome 3. There will be no reduction in area of occupancy of an important population within the planned footprint of operation

Outcome 4. There will be no introduction of disease that may cause the decline of a listed species

Outcome 5. There will no direct impacts to threatened communities (i.e. Giant Kelp)

Outcome 6. Broadscale environmental monitoring will be undertaken to monitor the health of habitats adjacent to the proposed action (and within the larger Storm Bay area)

Outcome 7. The proposed action will not substantially modify, destroy or isolate an area of important habitat for a migratory species

Outcome 8. Tassal will continue to work with recognised experts and institutions to deliver improved environmental outcomes in all of its activities.

The following mitigaton measures will also be implemented:

· The adoption of a broadscale monitoring program with associated site specific water quality trigger values · Ongoing monitoring of Giant Kelp abundance and canopy cover in the Eastern Farming Zone · Use of feeding management protocols to minimise feed wastage and emissions · Use of fallowing and rotational stocking practices to promote sediment recovery · Regular monitoring of seabed characteristics (annual ROV surveys) and water quality monitoring · Discourage positive association with marine farms (e.g. seals) · Fish escape prevention and formal protocols, particularly during handling procedures, as a result of predator attacks, or equipment failure, through the establishment of emergency procedures · Regular net inspections and routine maintenance by divers, MIC, ROV and marine Submission #2045 - Marine Finfish Aquaculture Development in Storm Bay (Tasmania) - West of Wedge Island operations personnel · Prevent the introduction of diseases and marine pests through best practice farm hygiene and biosecurity protocols · Minimise discharge of waste and emissions into the marine environment · Continual improvement in the design and installation of mooring systems and net technology that excludes wildlife from entering stocked cages. · Tassal employs a dedicated Wildlife Management Team to continue to reduce negative interactions with wildlife, and train other staff with best practice wildlife management skills. · Shoreline clean-up of marine debris in accordance with BirdLife Tasmania to protect nesting shorebirds (always undertaken outside of breeding season) · Marine farming licence conditions – marine farming activities only allowed over unconsolidated, unvegetated substrates

Submission #2045 - Marine Finfish Aquaculture Development in Storm Bay (Tasmania) - West of Wedge Island

Section 5 – Conclusion on the likelihood of significant impacts

A checkbox tick identifies each of the matters of National Environmental Significance you identified in section 2 of this application as likely to be a significant impact.

Review the matters you have identified below. If a matter ticked below has been incorrectly identified you will need to return to Section 2 to edit.

5.1.1 World Heritage Properties

No

5.1.2 National Heritage Places

No

5.1.3 Wetlands of International Importance (declared Ramsar Wetlands)

No

5.1.4 Listed threatened species or any threatened ecological community

No

5.1.5 Listed migratory species

No

5.1.6 Commonwealth marine environment

No

5.1.7 Protection of the environment from actions involving Commonwealth land

No

5.1.8 Great Barrier Reef Marine Park

No

5.1.9 A water resource, in relation to coal/gas/mining

No Submission #2045 - Marine Finfish Aquaculture Development in Storm Bay (Tasmania) - West of Wedge Island

5.1.10 Protection of the environment from nuclear actions

No

5.1.11 Protection of the environment from Commonwealth actions

No

5.1.12 Commonwealth Heritage places overseas

No

5.2 If no significant matters are identified, provide the key reasons why you think the proposed action is not likely to have a significant impact on a matter protected under the EPBC Act and therefore not a controlled action.

Tassal considers the proposed action is not likely to have a significant impact on any MNES due to the extensive research, development and survey work and working knowledge of the environment and ecosystems where marine farming is undertaken. Tassal possesses the skills and capabilities to design and develop appropriate mitigation strategies to minimise the level of interactions with wildlife and other MNES. The depth and breadth of Tassal’s marine and value- adding operations are subject to stringent regulatory provisions through the Tasmanian regulatory framework, as well as independent certification standards (through the Aquaculture Stewardship Council). The sustainability processes through which Tassal must operate are comprehensive and robust.

The location of the proposed West of Wedge development contains no reef or substrate habitat that species such as Giant Kelp or handfish are reliant upon and although Storm Bay is a potential foraging ground for species such as marine mammals, sharks and birds, the proposed development is not considered to take up a large amount of area that could result in significant interference of species movement through this extensive wateraway. Tassal has developed a range of training, operational and mitigation processes for existing marine farm leases to appropriately manage potential interactions with listed and threatened migratory species (i.e. whales).

Refer to Attachment 7 (uploaded in section 2.14) for the detail of Tassal’s risk and consequence methodologies that have been used to assess the likely risks to MNES from the proposed action. Submission #2045 - Marine Finfish Aquaculture Development in Storm Bay (Tasmania) - West of Wedge Island

Section 6 – Environmental record of the person proposing to take the action

Provide details of any proceedings under Commonwealth, State or Territory law against the person proposing to take the action that pertain to the protection of the environment or the conservation and sustainable use of natural resources.

6.1 Does the person taking the action have a satisfactory record of responsible environmental management? Please explain in further detail.

Tassal possess a successful and distinguished record of salmonid aquaculture in Tasmania and is now recognised as an international leader in sustainable seafood production. In 2014, Tassal achieved a global first for any salmon company, gaining full Aquaculture Stewardship Council (ASC) certification across its entire area of operations.

In August 2016, Tassal was ranked as the number one salmonid company in the Seafood Intelligence global report measuring 150 key corporate, social and environmental performance indicators.

Tassal publishes its online Sustainability Dashboard to inform stakeholders with accurate, up to date information on material aspects of its operations, including wildlife interactions and benthic compliance.

6.2 Provide details of any past or present proceedings under a Commonwealth, State or Territory law for the protection of the environment or the conservation and sustainable use of natural resources against either (a) the person proposing to take the action or, (b) if a permit has been applied for in relation to the action – the person making the application.

Tassal is involved in litigation in both the Supreme Court of Tasmania and the Federal Court in relation to its operations. A competitor instituted proceedings against the State and Federal regulators in relation to aquaculture operations in Macquarie Harbour. Tassal joined these proceedings as a respondent alongside the State and Federal regulators. A third party instituted proceedings against the Federal regulator in relation to aquaculture operations in Okehampton Bay. Tassal is involved in these proceedings as an interested party.

6.3 If it is a corporation undertaking the action will the action be taken in accordance with the corporation’s environmental policy and framework?

Yes

6.3.1 If the person taking the action is a corporation, please provide details of the Submission #2045 - Marine Finfish Aquaculture Development in Storm Bay (Tasmania) - West of Wedge Island corporation's environmental policy and planning framework.

Tassal is committed to environmentally robust business practices throughout Australia and makes significant environmental investment in areas where we operate. Protecting, conserving and enhancing the environment for current and future generations are a high priority for the company and forms a fundamental part of Tassal’s Corporate Social Responsibility.

To achieve its environmental goals Tassal are committed to the principles of continuous improvement and the prevention of pollution. Tassal have developed a framework to ensure that its activities and services comply with all applicable environmental standards and contribute to the well being of the communities in which the company operate.

Tassal will be undertaking this proposed action in accordance with its Environmental Policy (refer to Attachment 19 uploaded to section 6.3.2 of this submission). The key aspects of the policy are to:

- Identify and assess environmental risk and act to eliminate or minimise environmental impacts that arise from our products, services and operations.

- Establish measurable objectives and targets aimed at preventing pollution and improving environmental performance; and monitoring and reviewing these measures to ensure that we continually improve.

- Encourage equivalent environmental commitment from our suppliers and contractors.

- Consult with and engage internal and external stakeholders, including local communities and regulators on relevant environmental matters.

- Develop, implement and maintain our Environmental Management System compliant with ISO 14001.

- Implement and maintain Aquaculture Stewardship Council (ASC) certification.

- Encourage a sense of environmental responsibility among all employees through training, education and communication.

- Provide information of our environmental initiatives to the public through the Tassal website and other forums of open communications.

- Ensure the long term sustainability of our industry, the environment Tassal operate within and all community and commercial partnerships.

Tassal is committed to the Aquaculture Stewardship Council certification standards across all its operations and as such the action of finfish farming at the proposed West of Wedge development will be audited against the ASC standard when peak biomass is reached at the site. In preparation of this Tassal will ensure that compliance with the ASC standard is implemented from the point in which fish enter the water. During the planning phase, Tassal will Submission #2045 - Marine Finfish Aquaculture Development in Storm Bay (Tasmania) - West of Wedge Island develop and implement systems to support compliance, including policies, procedures, and risk maps. Tassal also has a dedicated Environmental Certification Officer responsible for managing its environmental certifications and educating employees on certification requirements.

The relevant criteria under the ASC standard that will apply to the proposed action includes:

- Criterion 1.1 compliance with all applicable local and national legal requirements and regulations (4 indicators);

- Criterion 2.1 benthic biodiversity and benthic effects (4 indicators);

- Criterion 2.2 water quality in and near the site of operation (5 indicators);

- Criterion 2.3 nutrient release from production (1 indicator);

- Criterion 2.4 interactions with critical or sensitive habitats (2 indicators);

- Criterion 2.5 interactions with wildlife, including predators (7 indicators);

- Criterion 4.5 non-biological waste from production (2 indicators); and

- Criterion 4.7 non-therapeutic chemical inputs (5 indicators).

Tassal and its employees work hard to maintain its compliance against the 154 individual compliance criteria within the ASC standard. Tassal are continually making improvements and preparation for each audit is ongoing throughout the business.

6.4 Has the person taking the action previously referred an action under the EPBC Act, or been responsible for undertaking an action referred under the EPBC Act?

Yes

6.4.1 EPBC Act No and/or Name of Proposal.

Referral number/title – EPBC 2012/6406: The expansion of marine farming operations in Macquarie Harbour, on the west coast of Tasmania. Tassal was a proponent in an industry-wide (other proponents included Petuna Pty Ltd and Huon Aquaculture Company) referral submission regarding the action of finfish farming in Macquarie Harbour.

Referral number/title – EPBC 2017/7954: Tassal Finfish Aquaculture at Okehampton Bay, Tasmania. Submission #2045 - Marine Finfish Aquaculture Development in Storm Bay (Tasmania) - West of Wedge Island

Section 7 – Information sources

You are required to provide the references used in preparing the referral including the reliability of the source.

7.1 List references used in preparing the referral (please provide the reference source reliability and any uncertainties of source).

Reference Source Reliability Uncertainties ANZECC (2000). Australian Strong Nil Water Quality Guidelines for Fresh and Marine Waters, Australian and New Zealand Environment and Conservation Council. Strong Nil Dalsgaard, T. and Krause Jensen, D. (2006). Monitoring nutrient release from fish farms with macroalgal and phytoplankton bioassays. Aquaculture 256: 302-310. Aquenal (2016). Initial Strong Nil environmental assessment for the establishment of a new marine farming zone: “West of Wedge”, Southern Tasmania. Report to Tassal. Aquenal and Marine Solutions Strong Nil (2015). Macrocystis pyrifera Surveys at Port Arthur and Nubeena, Tasman Peninsula, Tasmania: A Comparison of Giant Kelp Communities in 2013 and 2015. Report to Tassal. Buchanan P.J., Swadling K.M., Strong Nil Eriksen R.S., Wild-Allen, K. (2014) New evidence links changing shelf phytoplankton communities to boundary currents in Southeast Tasmania. Reviews in Fish Biology and Fisheries 24: 427-442. Submission #2045 - Marine Finfish Aquaculture Development in Storm Bay (Tasmania) - West of Wedge Island

Reference Source Reliability Uncertainties Clementson, L. A., Harris, G. Strong Nil P., Griffiths, F.B., and Rimmer, D.W. (1989). Seasonal and inter-annual variability in chemical and biological parameters in Storm Bay, Tasmania. I. Physics, chemistry and the biomass of components of the food chain. Aust. J. Mar. Fresh. Res., 40, 25-38. Crawford, C., Swadling, K., Strong Nil Clementson, L.A., Schroeder, T. and Wild-Allen, K. (2011). Nutrient phytoplankton data from Storm Bay to support sustainable resource planning. Project Number 2009/067. Fisheries Research and Development Corporation. Dahlheim, M.E. & J.E. Heyning Strong Nil (1999). Killer whale - Orcinus orca (Linnaeus, 1758). Ridgway SH, Harrison SR, ed. Handbook of Marine Mammals: The second book of dolphins and porpoises. Vol. 6::281 - 322. Department of Primary Strong Nil Industries, Parks, Water and Environment (DPIPWE) (2010). What’s the Catch? Fishing Facts and Figures. A survey of Tasmanian recreational fishing. Wild Fisheries Management Branch, DPIPWE. Department of Primary Strong Nil Industries, Parks, Water and Environment (DPIPWE) (2015), Wildlife Management. http://dpi pwe.tas.gov.au/wildlife-manage ment/animals- oftasmania/mammals/seals Accessed 21/05/2016. Edgar, G.J. 1984, 'General Strong Nil features of the ecology and biogeography of Tasmanian Submission #2045 - Marine Finfish Aquaculture Development in Storm Bay (Tasmania) - West of Wedge Island

Reference Source Reliability Uncertainties subtidal rocky shore communities' , Papers and Proceeding of the Royal Society of Tasmania, vol. 118, pp. 173-186. Oh, E. (2009). Macroalgal Strong Nil assemblages as indicators of the broad-scale impacts of fish farms on temperate reef habitats. PhD Thesis, University of Tasmania, 102 pp. Rochford, D. J. (1984). Nitrates Strong Nil in Eastern Australian coastal waters. Australian Journal of Marine and Freshwater Research 35, 385-97. Swadling, K.M., Eriksen, R.S., Strong Nil Beard, J.M. and Crawford, C.M. (2017). Marine currents, nutrients and plankton in the coastal waters of south eastern Tasmania and responses to changing weather patterns. Project Number 2014/031. Fisheries Research and Development Corporation. Valentine, J. P., Jensen, M., Strong Nil Ross, D. J., Riley, S. and Ibbot, S. (2016). Understanding broad scale impacts on salmonid farming on rocky reef communities. Fisheries Research and Development Corporation. Submission #2045 - Marine Finfish Aquaculture Development in Storm Bay (Tasmania) - West of Wedge Island

Section 8 – Proposed alternatives

You are required to complete this section if you have any feasible alternatives to taking the proposed action (including not taking the action) that were considered but not proposed.

8.0 Provide a description of the feasible alternative?

The only alternative avaliable for consideration is to not proceed with the proposed action. This would involve not developing a new marine farming development zone or amending the Tasman Peninsula and Norfolk Bay MFDP, and leaving the current leases and zones as they exist under the existing Tasman Peninsula and Norfolk Bay MFDP.

8.1 Select the relevant alternatives related to your proposed action.

8.27 Do you have another alternative?

No Submission #2045 - Marine Finfish Aquaculture Development in Storm Bay (Tasmania) - West of Wedge Island

Section 9 – Contacts, signatures and declarations

Where applicable, you must provide the contact details of each of the following entities: Person Proposing the Action; Proposed Designated Proponent and; Person Preparing the Referral. You will also be required to provide signed declarations from each of the identified entities.

9.0 Is the person proposing to take the action an Organisation or an Individual?

Organisation

9.2 Organisation

9.2.1 Job Title

Managing Director and CEO

9.2.2 First Name

Mark

9.2.3 Last Name

Ryan

9.2.4 E-mail [email protected]

9.2.5 Postal Address

GPO Box 1645 Hobart TAS 7001 Australia

9.2.6 ABN/ACN

ACN

106324127 - TASSAL OPERATIONS PTY. LTD.

9.2.7 Organisation Telephone

0427 010 904

Submission #2045 - Marine Finfish Aquaculture Development in Storm Bay (Tasmania) - West of Wedge Island

Appendix A - Attachments

The following attachments have been supplied with this EPBC Act Referral:

1. appendix_2_-_map_coordinates_of_proposed_west_of_wedge_development.pdf 2. attachment_1_map_coordinates_of_proposed_west_of_wedge_development.pdf 3. attachment_2_aboriginal_heritage_desktop_assessment.msg 4. attachment_3_eis_sec_4_stakeholder_consultation.pdf 5. attachment_4_cover_draft_amendment_no_5.pdf 6. attachment_5_draft_amendment_no.5.pdf 7. attachment_6a_eis_for_proposed_west_of_wedge_development.pdf 8. attachment_6b_eis_for_proposed_west_of_wedge_development.pdf 9. attachment_6c_eis_for_proposed_west_of_wedge_development.pdf 10. attachment_6d_eis_for_proposed_west_of_wedge_development.pdf 11. attachment_6e_eis_for_proposed_west_of_wedge_development.pdf 12. attachment_7_risk_assessment_for_proposed_west_of_wedge_development.pdf 13. attachment_8_macroalgal_tasman_survey_report.pdf 14. attachment_9_-_rocky_reef_report.pdf 15. attachment_10_proposed_west_of_wedge_zone_assessment.pdf 16. attachment_11_fauna_and_flora.pdf 17. attachment_12_bruv_survey_2015.pdf 18. attachment_13_hydrology.pdf 19. attachment_14_overview_modelled_outputs_for_storm_bay.pdf 20. attachment_15_storm_bay_water_quality.pdf 21. attachment_16_cumulative_risk_assessment_for_storm_bay.pdf 22. attachment_17_indicative_storm_bay_environmental_monitoring_program.pdf 23. attachment_18_eis_section_7_summary_of_effects_and_management.pdf 24. attachment_19tassal_environmental_policy.pdf 25. bruv_survey_-_west_of_wedge_.pdf 26. rocky_reef_report_-_west_of_wedge_.pdf 27. tassal_environmental_policy.doc 28. zone_assessment_-_west_of_wedge.pdf

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