Imagine Cruises owner and conservationist Frank Future said the application, made by NSW DPI and Huon Aquaculture, to move the defunct Pisces fish farm off the north coast of Cabbage Tree Island to in between it and Broughton Island presented “clear problems” to the tourism industry and environment.

“It’s in the middle of the humpback highway,” Mr Future said.

“Imagine, together with a company called Dolphin Swim Australia, take people swimming with dolphins in that area.

“But my main concern is that it [proposed farm site] sits right in the middle of an area used by existing folk. 

“The Broughton Island people, the divers, the people that spend time at the huts there; the pens will sit right in the middle of their passage, so there’s navigational risks. Obviously it will be lit, but we get some pretty wild weather here.”

NSW DPI and Huon are proposing to move two aquaculture leases up to 9 kilometres offshore and increase the size of the farm from 20-30 hectares to 62ha.

“Given advances in aquaculture technology, NSW DPI and Huon have lodged a modification application with the Department of Planning and Environment to move the leases further offshore into deeper water,” a NSW DPI spokesperson said. 

“The move will accommodate the latest in wildlife safe sea pens and new technologies, place the leases further away from the… community and overall, will result in better environmental performance and better fish production.”

Thirteen submissions, including one from Mr Future, were made during the application’s exhibition period. The submissions are being reviewed.

The NSW DPI spokesperson said it and Huon met with business people in the area about the project and that “in the vast majority of cases the response was positive” about it.

Mr Future and the Marine Parks Association will hold an information session on Wednesday, June 22 about fish farming and the proposed Huon and NSW DPI farm. 

The session, open to all, will be held at Tomaree Library between 7pm and 9pm.