Marine Harvest Chile to double smolts sowing

The Chilean subsidiary of Marine Harvest will increase its number of smolts entering the sea after a continuous decrease in mortality rates for four months in a row.

The smolts will be increased from three million in 2009 to 6.5 million in 2010.

The increase is also based on the measures implemented both from the industry and the National Fisheries Service (Sernapesca), said Alvaro Jimenez, general manager of Marine Harvest Chile.

Despite the increase, sowing rates are still far away from those prior to ISA virus, when the company sowed up to 40 million smolts. Estimates indicate that prior to the sanitary crisis the local industry sowed about 170 million smolts, decreasing to 30 million smolts by 2009 and going up to 50 million this year.

Jiménez said this increase will be reached using the idle capacity caused by the sharp drop in the company's production levels. He also estimated that Marine Harvest Chile will take up to 75% of their pre-ISA sowing rates within five years, forcing them to heavily invest in recirculation hatcheries and manpower for broodstock upkeep.

However, that will not happen before 2011 when disease control became confirmed and as long as regulation exists, such as the legislative bill that is currently in discussion in the Congress, according to Jimenez.