Quellon locals protesting in favour of more responsible practices by part of the local salmon industry. (Photo: Fedequellon)

'Quellon is a time bomb': official

CHILE
Friday, May 22, 2009, 01:00 (GMT + 9)

Various organisations linked to artisanal fishers, laid-off salmon sector workers, mitiliculture and indigenous groups from Quellon (Region X) are both jointly protesting the environmental damage caused by salmon farming and calling for urgent socio-economic measures addressing the problem.

Protesters threatened on Wednesday to block the flow of cars and trucks into Quellon until talks progress and adequate mechanisms are put in place for the sustainable development of all of the city's economic activities.

A Chilean salmon farm. (Photo: Fedequellon)

They also urge the implementation of other measures, including food bank allocation for unemployed salmon industry workers, and improvements in the undertaking of the Bivalve Mollusc Sanitary Programme (PSMB), among others.

Quellon, Yaldad and Curanue mitiliculture associations are also demanding around CLP 600 million (USD 1 million) in economic compensation, while artisanal fishers want CLP 400 million (USD 703,400) as compensation for the two-month shutdown of the area due to red tide before and during Holy Week/Easter, at the peak of the harvesting season.

Local executives and fishers accuse the samon industry and the National Fisheries Service (SERNAPESCA) of ‘bioterrorism,’ for allowing wellboats to unload contaminated water promoting the spread of red tide algae.

According to Armando Salinas, president of the Mitiliculturists Association, "profits earned by mitiliculturists remain in the municipality," unlike salmon industry revenues, which are syphoned off by Santiago. "We don't want Quellon to be another Lota – if marine resources die, Quellon dies."

Mussel lines. (Photo: Stock File)

The devastating episodes of red tide in the region were compounded by mass salmon industry layoffs, as well as plant and farming centre closures directly caused by the outbreak of viral infectious salmon anaemia (ISA).

"For years we have been highlighting the worrisome problem of contamination, which is not only linked to red tide but to toxic substance use in farming centres, which has affected several native species. If we continue to tolerate this contamination and do nothing for two more years, the drought/scarcity of today will be nothing compared to what will be in store for us," said fisheries official Marcos Salas, Ecoceanos News reports.

"The salmon industry – through the wellboats – have been spreading red tide. If we do not stand up for our rights - this cannot continue to go on - our municipality will transform into a haven of red tide and become a second Melinka, where fish farming and artisanal fishing will be buried indefinitely," Salas added.

Artisanal Fisheries (Photo: Fedequellon)

Fishers believe "the authorities are as guilty as the salmon wellboats for bringing about the critical situation being faced by Quellon."

They complain that the government is only trying to salvage the economic part of the salmon industry, "without seeing that they are also killing a major local part of the economy, such as artisanal fishing and mitiliculture."

Quellon Workers Federacion President Gustavo Cortes accused the salmon industry of being "the main instigator" of the crisis affecting the community. Close to 2,000 sector workers have lost their jobs, he indicated.

"Quellon is a time bomb ready to go off at any time. The situation is quite chaotic, people are desperate because all their finite resources, benefits and insurance have already run out. Salmon companies are taking advantage of the need of the people, and abusing the workers' rights even more," Cortes said.

Related articles:

- Salmon farms operating at 20 pct capacity
- Chiloe rocked by unemployment

By Analia Murias
editorial@fis.com
www.fis.com

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