Northern Territory environment groups say they are very relieved that Marine Harvest Pty Ltd, a subsidiary of giant fish farm corporation Pan Fish ASA of Norway, has decided to drop its proposal for barramundi sea cage fish farms in Darwin and Bynoe Harbours.

Australian Marine Conservation Society (AMCS) campaigner Adele Pedder said there had been strong community opposition to the project.

“Hundreds of people have written submissions and letters, signed on-line petitions, and filled in postcards calling on the NT government to reject this type of polluting fish farming in such sensitive marine environments.

“Hopefully future proponents of aquaculture in the NT will learn from this episode and will propose sustainable, land-based, ‘closed-cycle’ fish farms that don’t pollute marine environments with faeces and feed waste, don’t rely on massive quantities of marine life for fish feed, and don’t pose a disease risk to wild fish populations."

Further comment contact:
Adele Pedder, Marine Project Officer - 8941 7461 or 0422 108 539