'Sketchy Drugs': Australian Government Gambles With Human Safety

Our friends at Surfrider Australia have been quick to respond to the news, raise awareness, and call people to action by urging them to contact their elected officials and representatives. Please follow @surfrideraus for updates and developments.

The health and environmental risks from factory fish farms aren't often discussed but, once you dive in, you'll never look at salmon the same way. The pens in which the salmon are raised are disgusting and the animals suffer from a wide range of parasites and disease, which can in turn pass on to humans. The video below offers insight to the dirty secrets of the industry.

Unfortunately, even trying to prevent the disease is problematic because introducing antibiotics into the ocean environment--especially experimental ones--can be a recipe for disaster. Bioaccumulation is when antibiotics from enter the water and are absorbed by organisms like fish, mollusks, and algae, and can then transfer up the food chain. So even if you avoid the water near the farms, there's nothing stopping the antibiotics from spreading into the wild and finding their way into your body.

According to the Bob Brown Foundation the decision was made after "months of collusion between governments and industry". As the situation is ongoing, there is no telling now how long it will go on and just how many people will be affected.

While many would argue that commercial fish farms are necessary, there are safer alternative methods being developed such as aquapods and regenerative ocean farms.