Why are some commercial fisheries closed but recreational fishing is not closed?
There is no evidence of adverse human health effects from exposure to traces of florfenicol in meat or fish. As such, there was no closure of recreational fisheries related to florfenicol use.
Some commercial fisheries are closed to manage market access risks. Australian and overseas markets have strict rules about traces of antibiotics in fish. Tasmanian commercial fisheries must comply with these rules to maintain access to these markets.
As a precaution to ensure market access, NRE Tas temporarily closed some areas of commercial fisheries near treated pens. This will allow testing to confirm fish from these areas comply with export market rules.
See the 'Who regulates and monitors florfenicol use?' question below for more information.
Is farmed salmon treated with florfenicol safe to eat?
Yes. Salmon harvested for human consumption must meet all standard food safety requirements.
How do we know farmed salmon treated with florfenicol is safe to eat?
Salmon producers are legally required to ensure their fish comply with national food standards, including the Australian and New Zealand Food Standards Code.
Farmed salmon treated with florfenicol cannot be harvested for human consumption in Australia until a certain period of time after treatment (the withholding period). This is usually 21 days, but it varies depending on water temperature.
The withholding period allows the depletion of antibiotic residues in the fish. This mitigates the risk of residues being present in salmon when it’s sold.
NRE Tas will audit salmon companies to ensure the correct withholding period is met.
In addition, the Australian Government regulates the production and export of fish and fish products. Commonwealth law requirements mandate that fish treated with antibiotics must be withheld for a certain period before they can be harvested for export.
What risks will there be to our waterways from the use of florfenicol?
Because this antibiotic is used in marine waters, the Environment Protection Authority (EPA) carried out a detailed assessment to understand whether it could harm the environment.
Between November 2025 and March 2026, a large monitoring program was carried out. This is the most comprehensive dataset in the world for florfenicol in marine environments.
There are 4,240 laboratory results from collection of samples of water and sediment. Samples were taken at different depths, locations, and distances from fish farms, including reference sites.
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.
For more information, see Environmental risk assessment of florfenicol use in marine salmonid aquaculture in SE Tasmania 2025 - 2026.
Who regulates and monitors florfenicol use?
Approval for use
Notification of use
Before florfenicol treatment begins, salmon farming companies must notify:
- Environment Protection Authority (EPA)
- Department of Natural Resources and Environment Tasmania (NRE Tas) - Biosecurity Tasmania.
Food safety – Wild caught fish
- Public Health Services in the Department of Health provides advice to recreational fishers about eating fish caught near treated pens.
- The EPA conducts environmental monitoring to measure florfenicol levels in wild fish. This data informs future public health advice.
For more details, visit the Tasmanian Department of Health website.
International market access – commercial fisheries
NRE Tas manages commercial fisheries to reduce risk to market access. Australian and overseas markets have strict rules about traces of antibiotics in fish.
Tasmanian commercial fisheries must comply with these rules to maintain access to these markets. Closures allow testing to confirm fish from these areas comply with export market rules.
Food Safety – Aquaculture harvest
- Biosecurity Tasmania (NRE Tas) ensures farmed salmon meet food safety standards before harvest. This is managed through the florfenicol Compliance Audit Schedule.
- A summary of audit outcomes will be published by Biosecurity Tasmania.
Antibiotic residue monitoring
- The EPA oversees monitoring of antibiotic residues to prevent environmental harm.
- The Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies (IMAS) is conducting additional sampling to assess changes in sediment microbial communities.