Australian salmon farmers are grappling with "unprecedented mortalities" in southeast Tasmania, according to companies in the state.

Their stocks are facing a new strain of rickettsia-like organism or RLO, a bacteria that has long existed in the local farming environment, said Tori Percival, fish production manager at salmon farmer Huon Aquaculture, in a video created by Huon in collaboration with Salmon Tasmania, also shared by Tassal.

The emerging strain is causing unexpected issues across salmon farms, prompting farmers to work around the clock to "resolve the situation," noted Matt Barrenger, technical director at Salmon Tasmania.

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He added that the situation was hard and "distressing for farmers and workers," as it was "stretching operations and logistics to deal with the situation." 

Sean Riley, head of environment at Tassal, pointed out that the industry had "extremely robust processes to manage mortalities."

"This includes rendering, which uses the mortalities to create byproducts such as used in pet food industries or fish oil, also in soiling, which provides fertilizer for agricultural land. While sending this organic material to landfill is a last resort, it's sometimes necessary when other disposable options are not available."

"It is important that we acknowledge that we're also in the summer period, which adds an additional challenge with high water temperatures," said Percival. "As an industry we are doing everything we can to navigate this challenge and get on top of it", she also said, pointing out that salmon was "absolutely safe" to eat and that she was convinced that the industry would manage to get through this situation. 

This comes amid political debates over salmon farming in Tasmania.

Australia's prime minister, Anthony Albanese, faces pressure to balance industry interests with environmental concerns, particularly regarding operations in Macquarie Harbor, home to the endangered Maugean skate. Industry leaders and conservationists are urging the government to provide clear legislative direction to ensure ecological preservation and economic stability.

In October 2024, it emerged that over 1,000 metric tons of salmon died in Macquarie Harbour feedlots between September 2022 and March 2023, according to figures from Tasmania's Department of Natural Resources and Environment.

Last year, scientists advising the Australian government recommended a dramatic scaling back or complete removal of the salmon industry from Tasmania's Macquarie Harbour to prevent the extinction of the Maugean skate.

But late in the year, Tasmania's parliament passed a motion calling for Australian federal authorities to end an environmental review of salmon farming in the harbor amid an industry campaign highlighting concerns about regional jobs.