July 16, 2010

 

Chile vows quicker processing of aquaculture concessions

The Subsecretariat of Fisheries (SUBPESCA) seeks to solve the processing of aquaculture concessions in Chile within two years.

 

There are 1200 aquaculture concessions waiting to be adopted in the Magallanes region, according to Pablo Galilea, the head of SUBPESCA. While recognising the importance of salmon farming, he said that Chilean aquaculture includes other activities.

 

"We are working on diversification: in the North we can farm dorado and abalone, for example, where investors are concerned; and we can incorporate more artisanal small-scale cultivation," said Galilea.

 

The approval of an application can take up to seven years, a period too long. "The average is up to four years, where there is much bureaucracy," he said.

 

"We must implement the law and regulations, see the relocations, identify areas suitable for aquaculture and take care of sanitary issues, among other things. We will meet the deadline set by law, which is April 2011," he said.

 

Cesar Barros, president of the Association of the Chilean Salmon Industry AG (SalmonChile), earlier demanded control of the salmon farming companies by the entity and not SUBPESCA.

 

"We're not endorsing the responsibility to SalmonChile, who argued for years that self-regulation was the way forward, and the infectious salmon anemia (ISA) virus proved otherwise. What we do, we will consult with industry players at certain points," he added.