Chile demanded the closure of the establishment located in the south of the country. 690,000 antibiotic-treated salmon escaped from a Los Lagos breeding farm. The antibiotics used are for veterinary use only and not suitable for human consumption.
On July 5, the coast of the region where the Punta Redonda cattle farm is located was hit by a violent storm. The latter heavily damaged the ten containment cages where the animals were. The farm is owned by the Norwegian multinational Marine Harvest, the world’s largest producer of farmed salmon.
The Superintendence of the Environment (SMA) asked this Wednesday, July 18 to the environmental court of Valvidia an “urgent and temporary measure”, so that it orders “the cessation of the operation of the salmon fattening center (. ..) for a period of 30 calendar days, exclusively for preventive purposes “. Chilean environmental justice can go so far as to demand the final closure of the center and impose a fine of up to $ 7 million on the company.
Health and environmental risks
The National Fisheries and Aquaculture Service (Sernapesca), a Chilean public body, has meanwhile lodged a complaint with the SMA against Marine Harvest for “possible failings in the maintenance and safety” of the farm in question. .
The flight of fish could indeed have important consequences. Indeed, the antibiotic used to treat salmon is Florfenicol, reserved exclusively for veterinary use and unfit for human consumption. Thus, the fish being able to “contain residues of antibiotics” they can cause important reactions in the people allergic to this drug.
But the consequences to be feared are also environmental. This event could affect the ecosystem and native marine species. This is because escaped salmon could transmit pathogens and diseases to other species. According to the SMA, they belong to an invasive and predatory species. The latter can directly or indirectly modify the balance of marine biodiversity permanently.
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