Tasmanian fish farms saw a shocking loss of over 4 million salmon dying prematurely in 2025. New data from the state's Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) shows around 500,000 salmon died just in November and December due to warming ocean waters. Scientific studies say Atlantic salmon suffer badly when ocean temperatures near 18°C. At hotter temperatures, salmon get less oxygen, develop liver and kidney damage, lose appetite, and fall prey to disease. In the last three months of 2025, more than 2,500 tonnes of salmon died before reaching consumers, raising the total to 20,133 tonnes for the year, according to EPA data released on Friday. December alone saw over 40 tonnes of salmon die each day, nearly three times the July to October average. Retired professor Stewart Frusher from the University of Tasmania warned, "We are essentially at the stage where the waters in south-eastern Tasmania aren’t fit for purpose for salmon." He criticized the lack of regulatory response, stating, "There is currently a public debate interstate about possible penalties for leaving dogs in cars on hot days, and Premier Rockliff has committed to phasing out greyhound racing because of animal welfare concerns. But when it comes to mass salmon deaths, there’s just silence." Tasmanian companies produced nearly 68,000 tonnes of gutted salmon in 2024-25. Tasmania’s Animal Welfare Act forbids practices causing "unreasonable and unjustifiable pain or suffering" to animals. In Norway, salmon farms face heavy fines for mass fish deaths. In November 2025, Norwegian authorities fined companies for salmon deaths numbering over 200,000. Animal advocate Coughlan urged similar penalties in Tasmania: "Penalties must apply, as they do in Norway, as a disincentive to allowing current mortality rates to become the new normal, and bring animal welfare back into focus for an industry that is clearly beyond control." Salmon Tasmania, representing the state's three main marine salmon producers, was contacted for comment on potential fines but did not respond. This report was republished with permission from the Tasmanian Inquirer.