Inspection of Marine Harvest farming centre. (Photo: SMA)

Environmental Authority makes charges against Marine Harvest

The Superintendency of the Environment (SMA) has filed charges against the company Marine Harvest Chile SA, owner of the Salmon Feed Center (CES), Punta Redonda on Huar Island, for breaches of the conditions, rules and measures established in two resolutions.

This salmon fattening centre is located in Los Lagos Region and corresponds to an aquaculture concession of 14.05 hectares, with a maximum authorized production of 6,500 tonnes.

Salmon farming cage belonging to Marine Harvest affected by the escape. (Photo: Stock File)

The SMA recalls that on July 5, more than 690,000 salmon escaped from said centre, and points out that according to the reports of the National Fisheries and Aquaculture Service, until September 15, 38,286 specimens were recaptured, which is equivalent to 5.54 per cent of the registered escape, "configuring, therefore, the presumption of environmental damage established in article 118 quater of the Fisheries and Aquaculture Law".

The Superintendency indicates that the main infractions detected were verified from the audits carried out by officials of the Regional Office of the SMA of Los Lagos, together with officials of the National Fisheries and Aquaculture Service of the Region and DIRECTEMAR, confirming the deficient operation of the Punta Redonda CES of Marine Harvest Chile.

Map CES PUNTA ROUND ISLAND HUAR - RNA: 102833 Calbuco - X Region of the Lakes. (Photo: Google Map / FIS)

According to the SMA, two breaches were detected to the environmental regulations that regulates the fattening centre:

1. Do not maintain the appropriate safety conditions or elements of optimal quality and resistance according to RCA N° 2040/2001 and RCA N° 539/2011, the consequence of which was the massive escape of specimens from the centre.
2. Maintain and operate support facilities on land not intended for silage operation.

The first of the infractions was classified as extremely serious, as it constituted environmental damage that could not be repaired, so the owner risks the revocation of the RCA, closure or fine of up to 10,000 Annual Tax Units (UTA) [equivalent to around USD 700,000] without prejudice to the sanction that may be imposed, for the repair of the environmental damage caused, Article 43 of the LO-SMA establishes the origin of a Reparation Plan.

Sanctions Proceedings File: D-103-2018 Lakes Region Marine Harvest. (Photo: SNIFA)

The second offense was classified as minor, so the owner could be subject to a written warning or a fine of up to 1,000 UTA.

Upon notification of this statement of charges, Marine Harvest Chile S.A. There will be a term of 10 working days to present a Compliance Programme for the case of the second infraction, and 15 working days to formulate their respective discharges.

Related articles:

- SERNAPESCA confirms Marine Harvest recaptured fewer salmon than required by law
- Environmental organization accuses Marine Harvest of 'frameup and corporate fraud'
- Marine Harvest and Sernapesca disagree on recaptured escaped salmon number

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