Scientists object to salmon farms in Patagonian fiords

CHILE - A group of Chilean scientists from the Foundation Huinay, based in the town of Hualaihue, on continental Chiloé, oppose the thriving country’s salmon industry from expanding operations into the Patagonian fiords region claiming it would significantly alter local ecosystems.

Scientists claim this area of southern Chile possesses a unique, though barely researched, and highly vulnerable biodiversity. According to information provided by Ecocéanos, the Huinay Foundation has focused its attention on marine life in the Comau and Rińihue fiords, which are characterised by a great influence of fresh water.

Actually corals and other species believed incapable of living in the region’s cold waters have been found. Scientists point out that in spite of the fact that since 2002 there’s a 15-km protected sector in the Huinay region authorities have continued to grant concessions for fish farming in the vicinity.

The Huinay Foundation has requested, on several occasions, that Chile’s National Environment Commission (CONAMA) set aside an exclusive area for scientific research, including the Comau and Rińihue fiords.

Günter Försterra, the entity’s scientific coordinator, says the solution would be zoning both fiords areas and its nearby regions, setting specific locations for salmon activity, artisanal fisheries, and the scientific research, particularly since the main problem is the lack of reliable scientific data of the area.

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Source: MercoPress

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