October 22, 2010

Chile to impose new rule for salmon aquaculture sector

By the end of 2010, the Chilean government will send the Comptroller a new regulation that will focus on aquaculture and environmental health, said the Minister of the Economy, Juan Andrés Fontaine.

"One of the regulations provides for the organisation of farms in macro zones, with the aim of reducing risks of infection with quick responses to emergencies. The infectious salmon anemia (ISA) virus and the crisis in confidence is now behind us. The prospects are favorable for a vigorous sector growth, whilst maintaining sanitary controls." Fontaine said at the opening of the VI International Fair of Aquaculture 'Aquasur'.

He also announced that in November, they will present Health Regulations (RESA) and Environmental Regulations (RAMA) to the National Fisheries Council (CNP), which will become the heart of the new Aquaculture Act Nº 20434.

"It's the government's intention to draw a set of rules that allow for this activity which will result in strong and sustainable growth in output and employment," he continued. The minister stressed that they want to "promote best practices, reduce risks of infection and respond to emergencies, but inevitably, progress in this area will be gradual."

What is sought is to organise farms in macrozones (e.g., four in Region X and three in Region XI), divided by large and secure firewall health. Each macro zone shall consist of a set of groups or neighbourhoods, in which there will be a number of farms, reducing the impact on the environment, said Fontaine.

The minister stressed the enormous value of self-regulatory initiatives implemented by the Association for the Chilean Salmon Industry (SalmonChile) and other industry representatives to address the crisis caused by the ISA virus. And also assessed the public-private dialogue "that led to important modifications to the general law on fisheries and aquaculture, enacted in April, and today is helping to formulate regulations that will define the progress of the industry."

For its part, the president of SalmonChile, Cesar Barros, said that "the salmon industry is going through the best sanitary condition of its history."

According to the manager, "thanks to the adoption of 44 health measures, which were then included in the law [for General Fisheries & Aquaculture] and regulations", the sector has managed to "raise productivity, reduce mortality and increase crop yields."