Traces of antibiotics from Tasmanian salmon farms have been found in wild marine species up to 10 kilometers away, raising fears of contamination and resistance.
melbourne: Traces of antibiotics from salmon farms in the Australian island state of Tasmania have been found in wild marine species more than 10 kilometers away.
Public health officials said there is no risk to human health from eating seafood at the amounts found, but experts warned that even low concentrations could lead to bacterial tolerance.
Tests conducted by the University of Tasmania’s Institute of Marine and Antarctic Studies found low levels of florfenicol in abalone, urchins, lobsters and other native species near agricultural leases south of Hobart.
The Tasmania Department of Natural Resources and Environment reported that 165 of 840 samples were found to have traces of florfenicol up to 0.06 mg/kg, while 209 results are pending.
Mark Blaskovich, an antibiotic resistance expert at the University of Queensland, said the levels were “ideal for causing resistance”.
They warned that this could have widespread impacts on aquatic and human health.
Near Bruny Island, fishing areas within 3 km of salmon farms that use antibiotics remain closed.
These closures are due to concerns over international market restrictions that enforce zero tolerance for antibiotic residues.
Salmon companies began using the drug at three D’Entrecasteaux Channel sites in southeastern Tasmania in November.
They have since expanded its use to 16 sites in the area.
