Several salmon farming centres in Los Lagos Region were monitored by SMA and other government agencies. (Photo: Centro Ecoceanos)

Environmental authority files charges against salmon company

CHILE
Monday, November 10, 2014, 22:10 (GMT + 9)

The Superintendency of the Environment (SMA) proceeded to file charges against the salmon company Salmones Pacific Star SA due to a number of environmental and sanitary breaches identified during the inspection of several farms in Los Lagos Region.

As part of the working programme of the National Network Control (RENFA), SNA, in collaboration with the National Fisheries and Aquaculture Service (SERNAPESCA) and the Directorate General of the Maritime Territory and Merchant Marine (DIRECTEMAR) detected various breaches in the farms San Pedro C and Huildad of that company.

Among the breaches, SMA states:

• Not performing the daily withdrawal of mortalities of each farming unit;
• Not properly disposing mortalities and not subjecting them to silage;
• Not implementing contingency plans given the mass mortality and silage system failure;
• Pouring waste and organic debris within the farming centre and surrounding areas;
• Ineffective water treatment plant;
• Dumping solid waste and liquid into the natural surroundings.

The indictment is the beginning of a sanctioning procedure by the SMA. Now, Salmones Pacific Star has 10 days to file a compliance programme; or 15 days to submit depositions to this Superintendency, after which the sanctioning process continues.

The compliance programme consists of a series of actions and goals presented by the offender so that within a period specified by the Superintendency, the head meets its environmental obligations.

If the SMA approves this programme, the sanctioning proceedings come to an end but if the head does not fulfill the commitments defined in this programme, there are risks of receiving up to twice the original fine.

Recently, the SMA and SERNAPESCA filed charges against several salmon companies after overseeing salmon farms in the Bío Bío regions, Los Lagos and Aysen.

The companies involved were Empresas AquaChile SA, AquaChile, Salmones Chiloé and Antarfood SA due to a number of environmental and sanitary breaches in eight farms and processing plants.

Related article:

- Environmental breaches detected in four salmon firms

By Analia Murias
[email protected]
www.seafood.media
 

Print