When we hear about the potential decline or even extinction of species, it serves as a stark reminder of our interconnectedness with the natural world and our responsibility to ensure its sustainability for generations to come.
This conversation increasingly extends to the very sources of our food, prompting questions about how our choices today shape the environment of tomorrow.
In this context of environmental awareness and the growing demand for sustainable practices, Woolworths, one of Australia’s leading supermarket chains, is again under scrutiny as shareholders push for transparency and change regarding the company’s Tasmanian salmon supply chain.
The controversy has resurfaced with a new shareholder resolution following a significant vote at last year’s Annual General Meeting (AGM) that called for action but was ultimately defeated.
The latest resolution, spearheaded by ethical broking platform SIX and supported by an additional 115 Woolworths shareholders, is a clarion call for the retail giant to address the potential extinction threat to the Maugean skate—a species found only in Tasmania—and to evaluate the sustainability certifications of its salmon products rigorously.
This action follows last year’s resolutions to Woolworths and Coles, which garnered unprecedented support for shareholder resolutions in Australia, with 30 per cent and 39 per cent of the votes, respectively.
Despite this, critics argue that the supermarkets have not responded with the urgency that the situation demands, given the existential threat to the Maugean skate and their shareholders’ expectations.
Adam Verwey, SIX’s chief executive, expressed his dismay at the supermarkets’ apparent disregard for community concerns and shareholder sentiment.
‘It’s unheard of for a company to ignore such a strong shareholder vote. The supermarkets aren’t just ignoring the community outrage about their toxic salmon supply; they are trying to ignore their own shareholders as well,’ he stated.
Verwey also highlighted that the contentious Macquarie Harbour salmon constitutes only a small fraction of Woolworths’ total salmon supply, questioning the necessity of continuing to stock what he refers to as ‘extinction salmon’ and exposing shareholders to associated risks.
A technical loophole in the Australian shareholder resolution process has allowed Woolworths to maintain the status quo.
For a resolution demanding farmed seafood reporting to be enacted, it must be preceded by a successful constitutional amendment requiring a 75 per cent majority. This threshold has not been met in Australia for several years.
Despite this, it is common practice for companies to act on resolutions that receive substantial support, as evidenced by many banks ceasing investment in fossil fuels.
The urgency of the situation is underscored by a recent formal investigation launched by the Environmental Protection Authority into a significant salmon mortality event in Tasmania since mid-February 2025.
The investigation is assessing the impact of ‘congealed oily material’ from deceased salmon that has washed up on Tasmanian beaches and decomposing salmon carcasses found along the coastline, which pose potential food safety concerns.
Verwey has been vocal about the risks associated with the salmon Woolworths is selling, especially in light of the recent mass deaths of salmon in pens and the subsequent environmental impact.
He criticised Woolworths’ sustainability claims and called for supermarkets to take responsibility, especially in the face of what he perceives as government inaction.
The issue has even reached the halls of Parliament, with Greens’ environmental spokeswoman Sarah Hanson-Young making a dramatic statement by presenting a dead salmon during a session.
‘Have you sold out your environmental credentials for a stinking extinction salmon?’ asked Senator Hanson-Young.
Woolworths has a three-day window to inform the market of the shareholder resolution, which will be presented at their AGM in late October 2025.
In response to the ongoing controversy, a Woolworths spokesperson stated, ‘This remains a complex issue, with many connected factors to consider. We continue to actively engage with many key stakeholder groups, including government, suppliers, industry bodies, environmental groups, scientists, and independent experts, to inform our ongoing approach.’
What are your thoughts on the sustainability of supermarket seafood? Have you changed your buying habits in response to environmental concerns? Share your experiences and opinions in the comments below.
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I will no longer buy Australian farmed salmon.
I bet none of these skate living activists live in Tasmania. Are they going to provide all the blue collar workers affected alternative employment or should they join the dole queue?
Would the activists rather we import salmon? I expect so.
How many businesses have the Greens run? What did she do with the salmon afterwards?
Ozzieg is lucky, as a pensioner and with thanks to Albo, I can’t afford to buy salmon no matter where it comes from!!!
A dirty business that needs to stop in the waters of Tasmania, and yes Carol, I do live in Tasmania. The fish sold have been kept in pens filled with dead and rotting fish, definitely a health risk to the consumers.
I really enjoy the taste of Tasmanian smoked salmon and look forward to the half price specials in my local Coles. Reduced from $80/kg to $40/kg, but that $10 gives me enough for at least 6 delicious snacks over the following days.
I have read that the skate population has shown a consistent recovery in numbers and the industry has reviewed their practices. Farmed is environmentally more sustainable than wild caught.