Dead marine birds on the beaches of Chiloe due to the red tide. (Photo: Greenpeace)

Greenpeace ensures salmon dumping strengthened red tide in Chiloe

CHILE
Monday, September 05, 2016, 23:00 (GMT + 9)

Dead salmon dumping authorized by the Chilean Government strengthened the toxic algae proliferation that affected southern Chile earlier this year, and worsened the social and environmental crisis that has been experienced by Chiloe in the first half of the year, according to a report released on Sunday by Greenpeace.

This is the main conclusion of a study conducted by the environmentalist organization in Chiloe between May and August to determine the causes of the phenomenon that was caused by a high mortality of species and paralyzed the fishing activity on the island in southern Chile.

"While the evidence makes it possible to state that the area was already affected by algae blooms, the authorization by the Government to dump nearly 5,000 tonnes of salmon acted as an enhancer 'fertilizer' of the red tide, increasing its extent, intensity and scope, which triggered the social and environmental crisis we saw in Chiloe," states the NGO.

Greenpeace also emphasizes that the measure taken by the Government was hurried, and was taken "after ignoring the national regulations and breaching the international commitments on the matter."

The scientist Ernesto Molina, who participated in the study explained that: "There are no oceanographic grounds to assert that there is no relationship between the dumping and the red tide that was observed. The dumping acted as a fertilizer and the currents determined the pattern of ammonium displacement from this in that area."

From Greenpeace, they explain that the study is based on the analysis of water samples taken on the expeditions, satellite imagery, NASA data and the testimonies collected in the field.

After releasing this report, NGO representatives have urged the Minister of Economy, Luis Felipe Cespedes, who is the leading authority in regulating the aquaculture industry, to respond against this background and assume their responsibility towards the communities in Chiloe.

The crisis that hit Chiloe took its fishermen and social organizations to perform blockades for several weeks on the island to protest about the actions of the government, and once more unleashed strong criticism against the salmon farming industry.

Greenpeace also notes that hundreds of species that were stranded on beaches died, among which were not only seafood but also birds and marine mammals.

Related articles:

- Scientists rule out link between red tide and salmon dumping
- Red tide extension surprises scientists in Los Lagos
- 300 tonnes of dead salmon due to harmful algae dumped into sea

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