Salmon farms... an unsustainable industry

If there were one word would use to describe local perceptions towards the salmon industry in southern Chile and Chiloe in particular, it would be “bitter.” True, the industry was once somewhat welcomed for bringing jobs into the region, but in the end irreversible environmental and cultural damage was inflicted upon the region. Adding insult to injury, foreign companies owned the companies but they were administered by Chileans, further increasing the level of distrust in authorities and internationals, particularly in relation to environmental projects.

Chiloe is traditionally an artisanal fishing region, with modest boats being put into the waters by locals to fish in a relatively sustainable fashion. Historically salmon is only wild in the northern hemisphere, thus becoming introduced in Chile. Before the salmon industry, the ocean was free and an artisanal boat could come back with a relatively full catch. But the salmon industry changed that in many ways. With over 100 cultivating centers, circular net cages were be placed in various sections of the island, the locations owned by the salmoneras. This greatly reduced the fishing range available to local fisherman, who were unable to fish under or around the property of the salmon industry. This reduced the catch and the profitability of the profession, causing many “Pescadores” to find different work.

Many salmon are anadromous species, meaning that they start their life in freshwater and migrate towards salt water. Therefore in Chile smolt production takes place in freshwater lakes, including in Chiloe, and then are transferred to floating pens off the shores of Chiloe. It is not uncommon for fish to escape these pens and to become a potential threat to native species. Artisanal fishing is an effective way to catch those that have escaped in order to control the escaped populations and limit the possibility of establishing permanent populations.

The pens have had severe environmental impacts on the native fishery. Whereas the waters were once clean and open to swimming, the industry eventually polluted the waters to where swimming is no longer allowed. As one can imagine, food and feces from the salmon begin to stack underneath the nets, which raises the pH of the water and makes the water uninhabitable within approximately 500km of the nets for some native species. One ton of salmon produces approximately ¾ ton of waste and uneaten feed on the bottom of the cages. Other native species feed on the fish feed that escapes the nets, changing the growing pattern and taste of these species. Whereas shellfish used to be collected in many of these locations, the nets make this impossible.

However, the most recent environmental effect of the salmon industry has been the introduction of the virus ISA, causing the shutting down of a large portion of the plants and fisheries. Many workers lost their jobs and original amount of artisanal fisherman has not been resustained. The infrastructure from the salmon industry remains in the waters in case of one day reopening....

Abandoned fishing pens near Pequeldon

I believe these are set to harvest shellfish near Detif.