# 150,000 underwater blasts at Tasmanian seal farms

> Salmon companies have deployed more than 150,000 explosives to deter seals since 2016, with usage rising again after years of decline.
- Title: 150,000 underwater blasts at Tasmanian seal farms | Shortify
- Summary: Salmon companies have deployed more than 150,000 explosives to deter seals since 2016, with usage rising again after years of decline. Three Tasmanian salmon…
- Keywords: tasmanian salmon farms, seal deterrents, underwater explosives, huon aquaculture, tassal, petuna, marine wildlife, news, world, 150, 000, underwater
- Source: the Guardian — https://theguardian.com/australia-news/2026/sep/22/underwater-explosives-used-to-deter-seals-at-tasmanian-salmon-farms-since-2016
- Published: 2026-09-21T15:00:37+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: tasmanian salmon farms, seal deterrents, underwater explosives, huon aquaculture, tassal, petuna, marine wildlife, news, world
## 150,000 explosives in a decade
Since 2016, three Tasmanian salmon companies have deployed 150,488 underwater explosives to deter seals from fish farms in marine areas.
## Nearly 1,800 blasts in six months
Government data released last week shows salmon companies directed almost 1,800 underwater explosives at seals in the first half of 2026.
## Huon leads the explosives count
Huon Aquaculture, owned by Brazilian meat company JBS, used 1,126 explosives in the first half of 2026, almost two-thirds of the total deployed.
## Four seals died in first half 2026
Four fur seals died at Tasmanian salmon farms in the first half of 2026: two at Tassal leases, two at Huon sites. Since 2021, 48 seals have died.
## Sharp decline after 2021, now rising
Explosive use dropped sharply after April 2021, possibly following Richard Flanagan's book Toxic. But Tassal's usage is rising again, using 551 devices in first half 2026.
## Tassal aims to phase out deterrents
Tassal's 2025 sustainability report said the company aimed to phase out seal deterrents but did not specify a deadline. Tassal is owned by Canadian multinational Cooke Aquaculture.

> phase out
## Huon evaluates wildlife safety measures
Huon said it was evaluating initiatives to improve wildlife safety, including infrastructure upgrades and new deterrent technologies, but did not answer specific questions about explosive use.

> upgrades to existing infrastructure, adoption of new technologies to deter wildlife, and engagement with specialist consultants to assess and reduce interaction risks
## Key takeaway

Three Tasmanian salmon companies have used over 150,000 underwater explosives to deter seals since 2016, with usage rising again in 2026 after a sharp decline.