Sunday was the deadline for the set period to withdraw the fish mortality aboard the ship that sank on October 18. (Photo: Sernapesca)

Sernapesca denounces Camanchaca for failing to withdraw salmon mortality

CHILE
Tuesday, October 24, 2017, 23:20 (GMT + 9)

The National Fisheries and Aquaculture Service (SERNAPESCA) filed a complaint against Salmones Camanchaca for failing to comply with the timely withdrawal of salmon mortality that remains inside the wellboat Seikongen. The vessel sank on Wednesday, October 18, in the sector of Bahia Terao, Chonchi commune, while harvesting fish at the company's Pilpilehue farming centre.

SERNAPESCA regional director Eduardo Aguilera explained that on Sunday the deadline of 48 hours to withdraw the fish mortality aboard the ship expired, reason why they have decided to "proceed the infractions that go to the civil court for non-compliance of the Aquaculture Health Regulations".

The authority added that since the company failed to manage the salmon mortality in a timely manner, the withdrawal should be made following the same standards as if it were industrial waste.

"We are not talking about dead fish, but fish in an advanced decomposition state that have to be handled properly. Therefore, the only destination that can hold the contents of the stores is an industrial landfill," he explained.

Following the presentation of the complaint, the Regional Director together with officials of the Service met with leaders and representatives of the Pilpilehue's community Hulliche Ñankul, who were explained the control process and the legal actions that SERNAPESCA and other agencies are taking to expedite the withdrawal of mortalities and minimize the risk of bay contamination.

The sinking occurred when on board the ship had already been loaded 37,600 units of salmon with an average weight of 5.7 kilos, which gives a total of 214.3 tonnes. The fish died in the hold when oxygenation systems and other support systems failed. Although they are still confined in the interior of the ship, they represent a serious health and environmental risk, considering the low depth they are in (about 10 metres) and that in the area of ​​the shipwreck has high fishing and capture activity level.

Due to the above, the sanitary authority ordered the closure of the area for the capture of molluscs from mussel farming centres as well as any capture activity performed by the settlers themselves. In addition to the health risk, this situation results in economic damage to the local community.

"We have made the company and its service provider aware of their responsibility regarding this situation that they have generated and against which they have to respond. As a State agency we have the control and this is what we are doing and we will use all the tools that are within our reach," said Aguilera.

In addition, he said that the work is being articulated with the Superintendency of Environment to monitor the possible environmental damage to the area, and that SERNAPESCA analyzes the possibility of filing a criminal complaint, if it is verified that this emergency has caused some damage to the hydro-biological species of the cove.

The fines that the company risks for breaching the Sanitary Regulation of Aquaculture range between 300 and 3,000l UTM.

Related articles:

- SERNAPESCA oversees withdrawal of 200 tonnes of dead salmon from casualty wellboat
- Precautionary closure of wellboat sinking zone ordered in Chiloé

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