Tasmanian Salmon Farms Deploy Over 150,000 Underwater Explosives Against Seals

New government data from Tasmania reveals a significant increase in the use of underwater explosives by salmon companies to deter seals. Since 2016, more than 150,000 such devices have been deployed, with nearly 1,800 used in the first half of 2026 alone. This practice highlights the ongoing conflict between aquaculture operations and wildlife protection in the region.

Concurrently, Australian researchers have identified two new species of large stick insects in far north Queensland. This discovery underscores the vast and often overlooked insect diversity present in Australia and emphasizes the need for continued research into these less-studied areas of the natural world.