It would be inhumane to not treat fish when they are sick.
We treat them under the supervision of a Vet and in line with strict fish health and welfare policies set out by the EPA.
Antibiotic use is a last resort. Antibiotics are never included in our aquaculture feeds without veterinary prescription for the specific purpose of treating sick fish. They are not used to enhance growth. All producers administer vaccinations to all young fish to reduce likelihood of them needing antibiotics and to keep them healthy. But sometimes, bacterial infections can occur which need treatment.
Australia has one of the most conservative approaches in the world to the use of antimicrobials in food producing animals and is a world leader in minimising the use of antibiotics in food producing animals. Antibiotics are only prescribed by a Vet following a full investigation, confirmation of diagnosis through laboratory testing of fish health samples and after confirming antibiotic sensitivity of causative organisms.
If used, there is a strict withholding period which means that any traces of antibiotic are completely passed through the fish long before it is harvested. Post treatment the fish are monitored by a third-party business, and results are reported through to the EPA. Companies are required by EPA to conduct these residue surveys after administering a dose.
If used, antibiotics are added to the feed pellets and administered to the fish under strict feed monitoring conditions. Antibiotics are not added in any other form into the water.
Use of any antibiotics is publicly visible on the Salmon Portal.
