February 26, 2008

Less salmon output as Marine Harvest closes down 13 production centres
 

Following the downsizing of its Chilean operations, Marine Harvest is expecting production to fall by 40 percent.

The decision was made due to problems caused by Infectious Salmon Anaemia (ISA). Salmon production is expected to be 40 percent or 50,000 tonnes less than before.

Marine Harvest has already informed union members that it would be shutting down 13 production centres, eight of which are sea-based facilities and the remaining five are fresh water facilities. The company's Teupa and Chinquihue plants would also be shut down.

The company produces 20 percent of Chile's total salmon production, and the closures are expected to cause Chilean salmon production to drop by 8 percent.