Quick facts
- The permit authorising the use of florfenicol (an antibiotic) was suspended by the APVMA on 4 March 2026 and no florfenicol has been used to treat salmon since.
- There are no recreational fishing closures relating to florfenicol treatments.
In November 2025, an antibiotic called florfenicol was approved for emergency use to treat a serious bacterial disease affecting farmed salmon in south-east Tasmania. It was administered through medicated feed.
There are no reported human health harms from traces of florfenicol in fish or meat. Recreational fishing was not closed near treatment areas. Learn more about the Public Health advice about florfenicol - recreational fishing and water use.
Impacts to the marine environment
The EPA carried out a detailed assessment to understand whether the use of florfenicol in marine waters could harm the environment.
Based on all the evidence, the EPA found the use of florfenicol during the 2025–2026 treatment period posed a low risk of unacceptable harm to marine ecosystems. This result applies to marine plants and animals but does not include bacteria.
Where did treatments occur?
What is florfenicol?
Florfenicol is an antibiotic. It is used in many countries for veterinary medicine, agriculture and aquaculture.
- Veterinary science indicates florfenicol is effective in combating
Piscirickettsia salmonis (P. salmonis).
- The use of florfenicol was approved by the
Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority (APVMA) to treat P. salmonis in farmed salmon.
- Florfenicol is administered to farmed salmon through medicated feed.
- Florfenicol has previously been used in Tasmania in small amounts between 2007 and 2010.
What is
P. salmonis?
P. salmonis is a marine bacterium. The bacterium causes disease in salmon. Global evidence confirms it is a major contributor to high mortality rates in salmon farming.
An unprecendented mortality event that occured early in 2025 was the result of
P. Salmonis and warmer waters affecting salmon health.
P. salmonis is a fish disease. It does not present a human health or food safety risk.
For more information, see
Piscirickettsia salmonis Information Sheet.
More information