Tassal – our largest and last major Aussie-owned salmon producer – is set to end up in Canadian hands after aquaculture company Cooke boosted its takeover bid to $1.1 billion. It’s Cooke’s 4th attempt to buy the Tassie-based company, and Tassal has urged shareholders to accept the deal in November when it goes to a vote. Analysts say the takeover looks “very likely” as Cooke has already secured approval from the Foreign Investment Review Board. CEO Mark Ryan says it’s a good move that will “fast-track our goal to be one of the world’s most transparent and sustainable protein producers”. But with growing concerns around the environmental impacts of salmon farming in Tasmania, critics say the move could do the opposite. Investors seemed to like it – Tassal’s share price was up 5% yesterday.