Foreign takeover of Tasmanian salmon farmer puts state’s marine life at risk, activists say

Activists stage a protest outside the Tassal shareholder meeting in Melbourne, where the takeover of the salmon farmer by Canada’s Cooke Aquaculture was given the go-ahead. Photograph: Con Chronis/AAP

Campaigners fear the foreign takeover of Tasmanian salmon farmer Tassal – approved at a shareholder meeting on Thursday morning – will further risk environmentally sensitive shallow waters in the state.

At a company meeting in Melbourne, Tassal shareholders voted strongly in favour of the takeover – reportedly worth $1.7bn – by Canadian salmon producer Cooke Aquaculture.