By: Pulse of La Tercera
(Read news in La Tercera)
The National Fisheries Service (Sernapesca) released this Friday a new report on the audits that have been carried out on the status of the contingency of massive mortality of salmonids by harmful algal blooms (HAB) in the regions of Los Lagos and Aysén.
To date, approximately 4,507 tons of mortality have been verified in both regions, equivalent to 2.9% of the total active biomass in the affected areas, the entity indicated.
Likewise, 18 cultivation centers have active action plans in case of massive mortalities, of which 6 correspond to the Los Lagos region and 12 to the Aysén region.
The 6 centers in the Los Lagos region located in the Salmonid Concession Grouping (ACS) 17A are associated with H. akashiwo microalgae, while in Aysén, 7 centers in ACS 32, 33 and one in 28B, mortality is associated with Leptocylindrus danicus and Leptocylindrus minimus.
The remaining sites activated their action plans, mainly due to low dissolved oxygen content, and are located in ACS 28A, 21A, 27 and 23C.
In the Aysén region, centers 110154 and 110268 ended their contingency and centers 110411, 110242 and 110129 reduced their daily mortality to low levels, and may end their contingency if environmental conditions do not change.
Mortality
Regarding mortality, Sernapesca reported that to date a total of approximately 4,507 tons have been verified, of which 2,227 tons correspond to the affected centers in the Los Lagos region, equivalent to 9.4% of the active biomass in the affected ACS, and 2,280 tons to those in the Aysén region, corresponding to 1.8% of the active biomass in the affected ACS.
Of the total mortality as of April 8, approximately 2,978 tons have been removed (1,057 tons in the Los Lagos region and 1,920 tons in the Aysén region), i.e. approximately 70%.
Regarding the remaining 30%, Sernapesca said that it has already issued all the necessary authorizations for their prompt transfer by the different companies".
Mortality is being removed by vessels such as deep-sea fishing vessels (PAM), barges with bins or wellboats without recirculation (closed circuit) to avoid risks in transport, in some cases, there are sections that are being done by land with trucks.
Mortality is transported to reduction plants for final disposal to avoid environmental damage.