May 13, 2022

Chile salmon aquaculture facilities increase use of antibiotics in 2021

A report by Chile's National Fisheries and Aquaculture Service (Sernapesca) showed that the amount of antimicrobial used per harvested ton (ICA) among salmon aquaculture facilities increased in 2021 compared to the year prior, Fish Information & Services reported.

The document, titled “Report on the use of Antimicrobials in National Salmon Farming – year 2021, showed that antibiotic use was the highest in 2015 at 630 g per harvested ton and declined every year since then, but 2021 was the first time it increased compared to 2020.

Marcela Lara, Deputy Director of Aquaculture of Sernapesca, said the national ICA in 2021 was 470 g of antimicrobial per ton harvested, especially in the regions of Aysen and Los Lagos. But there were decreased antimicrobial use in the Magallanes region last year, compared to 2020.

Based on the report, 54.34% of the antimicrobials used in the fattening stage in the sea correspond to the Ayssn region, 43.66% to the Los Lagos region and 1.87% to the Magellan region. For species, 92.83% of the antimicrobials were used in the farming of Atlantic salmon, 5.11% for coho salmon and 2.05% for rainbow trout.

Marcela Lara said the increased use of antibiotics was caused by COVID-19 pandemic related logistical issues, resulting in harvest delays and processing times. This led to extended production cycles, prolonging the exposure of the livestock to pathogens. Harmful algal bloom events (HABs) were also reported in Los Lagos and Aysen regions last year, which required the use of antibiotics for treatments against Piscirickettsiosis.

-      Fish Information & Services