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A salmon farm belonging to Acuimag. (Photo: Sernapesca)
SMA approves compliance programmes of two salmon firms
CHILE
Tuesday, June 25, 2013, 22:30 (GMT + 9)
The Superintendence of the Environment (SMA) this week approved two Compliance Programmes presented by the salmon firms Exportadora Los Fiordos and Acuimag, as part of the statement of the indictment that began in May for environmental violations.
On the other hand, the entity decided to definitely close the Salmon Fattening Centre, Punta Quillaipe sector, located in Los lagos Region, belonging to Sociedad Granja Marina Tornagaleones.
This firm has been charged for having proved that that centre did not have the Environmental Qualification Resolution (RCA).
The SMA argued that the monitored project “is different from the one that had been authorised and lacks an environmental assessment according to what is set in the Act N° 19,300 on the Environment General Basis.”
The control entity considered that these breaches are serious so “the maximum fine was implemented for this qualification and that it is the definite closure of the project.”
As to other two firms last month the SMA also verified that neither of them had complied with the commitments set en the RCA of the salmon fattening centres they have in Aysen and in Magallanes, respectively.
After an environmental inspection performed by the Enforcement Division of the SMA, the National Fisheries and Aquaculture Service (Sernapesca), the Directorate General of Maritime Territory and Merchant Marine (Directemar) and the Health Seremi, breaches were detected in the fattening centre Estero Poca Esperanza, belonging to Acuimag, and in the fattening centre Sector Uno Norte Isla Francisco, belonging to Exportadora Los Fiordos.
In both cases, the environmental violations are related to the location of the salmon fattening centres, based outside the concession area and the location authorized in their RCA, the newspaper Estrategia reported.
Besides, charges were made in relation to the liquid waste management, to the absence of sector environmental permits and to the mortality management, among others.
The charges made against Acuimag and Exportadora Los Fiordos were rated as mild.
After receiving the information submitted by the two companies, the SMA approved the Compliance Programmes setting an action plan and the goals to comply with environmental regulations that the holders had infringed.
The programme presented by Exportadora Los Fiordos is considering an investment amounting to CLP 81 million (USD 157,000) for repositioning and securing the salmon cages.
Meanwhile, Acuimag is committed to investing CLP 131.9 million (USD 255,600).
Thus, the Superintendency cancelled the proceedings that initiated sanctions against both salmon firms until the compliance of each and every one of the steps involved within the deadline has been verified, set for 30 November.
Referring to the audits carried out by the SMA, Carlos Vial, Friosur vice-chairman, pointed out in an interview with Diario Financiero that "what SMA is monitoring is a minor issue, which is the result of a legalistic and even hateful interpretation."
"The SMA is really far behind. There are antediluvian concerns that have nothing to do with solving the problem, or with salmon farming progress," he stated. "In a little while it is possible that concessions will no longer exist and there may be a different system, and they are being paid because a salmon firm has the fence that is not in the right position, which may be so because an anchor moved away," the executive added.
Related article:
- Three salmon firms accused of environmental offences
By Analia Murias
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www.seafood.media
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