Tasmanian govt to ban seal relocations

Tasmania is banning the relocation of seals that feast on salmon farms following complaints from the fishing industry.

The Liberal government on Thursday said it would end the 15-year-long practice by Christmas after fishers in the state's northwest complained it was hurting their industry.

This will mean seal farms can no longer transport and release seals in other parts of the state.

However seals will still be able to be captured and released nearby.

Almost 2000 seals have been relocated in 2017 to date, including 367 in August.

Tassal is the only salmon producer still relocating seals.

In a statement, the company said it had committed to investing $70 million into ocean sanctuary pens to keep out seals.

Environment Tasmania welcomed the seal relocation ban but raised concerns the policy could lead to an increase in seal culls.

The state's Labor opposition accused the government of failing to consult workers whose job it was to remove seals from salmon pens.