Sernapesca officials performing control duties in the Calbuco volcano area. (Photo: Sernapesca)

Fish farms affected by Calbuco eruption still being controlled

CHILE
Thursday, May 21, 2015, 22:30 (GMT + 9)

After nearly a month since the eruption of the Calbuco volcano, which seriously affected nine fish farms, the National Fisheries and Aquaculture Service (SERNAPESCA) continues to monitor the movement of fish under strict control.

The national director of the agency, José Miguel Burgos, stressed that the actions taken after the volcanic eruption were implemented in coordination with other regional and sector authorities, and under strict control to maintain the health status in all destination centres.

"To date 100 per cent of the fish farms located in the radius of 20 km around the volcano has been inspected as well as all those that requested movements," indicated Burgos.

"These inspections were aimed at verifying the fish sanitary status and at taking samples for diagnosis of infectious salmon anemia (ISA) virus, which were negative in all cases," he added

In addition, SERNAPESCA officials met this month with the companies that have been affected by the eruption to understand and evaluate together the steps to follow.

The companies recorded losses as a result of the decreed emergency, which forced them to make productive adjustments.

"We will continue our efforts for the salmon farming activity to develop in a way that does not jeopardize the sanitary heritage of the country, both in a normal production scenario and under extraordinary circumstances such as those we have had to face since the end of April," Burgos pointed out.

Meanwhile, Compañía Pesquera Camanchaca ensured it had achieved positive progress towards its salmon production recovery after Calbuco eruption.

The volcanic eruption hit on its main fish farm located alongside the river Petrohué and affected about half of the 14.4 million fish contained at various development stages.

The nearly 7 million salmon that survived were taken to the final fattening centres Mañihueico and Puelche, to the fish farming nursery of Rio de la Plata, and to the smolt fish farm of Playa Maqui, all belonging to the company.

Related articles:

- Camanchaca discards stocking and harvesting schedule due to volcanic eruption
- Salmon firms assess damage and losses after Calbuco volcano eruption

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

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