Chile’s environmental watchdog launches sanctions against two more salmon farmers

Chile’s Superintendence of the Environment (SMA) has filed charges against two fish farming companies operating in the central Chilean region of Araucanía due to alleged wastewater mismanagement and the subsequent proliferation of microorganisms in the discharge sectors of each farm’s respective bodies of water.

According to recent reports from the environmental watchdog, SMA detected breaches of the environmental permits each company requires to operate their individual projects. The detections directly stemmed from inspections performed by professionals from the SMA regional office in La Araucanía in conjunction with other sectoral agencies and subsequent legal analysis by the SMA’s sanction and compliance division (DSC).

The first sanctioning proceedings are against a local branch of Benchmark Genetics, owner of the Curacalco fish farm located in the borough of Cunco, 380 kilometers north of Puerto Varas. Its operations include the annual production of 3.2 million fingerlings and 2.06 million smolt from embryonic salmonid eggs.

SMA is bringing Benchmark up for three supposed breaches – two classified as serious and one as minor – for a total possible fine equivalent to a maximum of CLP 8.34 billion (USD 9.68 million, EUR 8.82 million).

The two serious infringements reportedly center on environmental permit breaches, specifically regarding an obligation the company made to ensure safe ecological flow and water collection from three underground wells...

Photo courtesy of Chile's Superintendence of the Environment