Chile's once-lucrative salmon farming industry will move to virus-free waters further south on the Patagonian coast in an attempt to rebound from widespread damage caused by the infectious salmon anemia (ISA) virus over the past two years, according to reports in the Patagon Journal.
Currently there are 1,600 applications for salmon fishing concessions off the coast of Magallanes, while in the Aysén region, located just north of Magallanes, another 1,500 requests for concessions are under review.
Critics say that opening up the new areas will spread water pollution, stray salmon and disease, as well as damage potential sustainable practices in the region, including tourism and recreational fishing.
Environmental groups say contamination from the seven salmon farm concessions proposed for the Seno Skyring area, located just outside the city of Punta Arenas, would generate waste equivalent to a city of 600,000 people.
Source: Patagon Journal