Salmon invasion in Puelo: they are predators and contain dangerous antibiotics

LAGO PUELO (ADNSUR) – The invasion possible of hundreds of thousands of salmon that escaped from cages in southern Chile and arrived in Lago Puelo, worries neighbors and ecologists because of the risk that it represents. the specimens would encounter antibiotics and would be a predator of local species. According to the information of the company responsible for the cultural center, 40 thousand pieces have been recovered and they are still working to "recover as much as possible".

Salmon fled after the 10 containment cages in which he suffered severe structural damage from a furious storm on July 5 on the shores of the Los Lagos area, where the center is located. of the salmonid farming Punta Redonda of the Norwegian firm Marine Harvest Marine Harvest announced that until it was recaptured 5, 7% of the total salmon escaped a process overseen by Sernapesca, the Navy and the Navy. Chilean Police

"To date, intensive work is being done to continue capturing escaped specimens, in accordance with the emergency plan and with the active collaboration of artisbad fishermen in the region, who have Experience and equipment for this job.As of Wednesday, July 18 approximately 40,000 pieces were recovered and work will continue until the objective of recovering as much as possible, "reported Marine Harvest

. Aerial reconnaissance work to facilitate locating and searching for fish which was also done from the beginning with larger vessels which have echosounder systems for the detection of schools Noticias del Bolsón

The National Fisheries and Aquaculture Service has lodged a complaint with the SMA against Marine Harvest "for any eventual violations in the maintenance and security of the infrastructure of the center of Punta Redonda. "

salmon escapes still occur" but the magnitude of the leak recorded is one of the most important that took place in a single event ", di to AFP, the executive director of the environmental organization Oceana Chile, Liesbeth van der Meer

Similarly, Sernapesca demanded that Marine Harvest adopt "urgent measures" such as the temporary closure of the center, the reconnaissance overflights to rule out the appearance of dead species in the surrounding areas , a plan to dispose of the possible remains and a program of reconquest

The general law of the fishing and the aquaculture establishes a month of term so that the company recovers at least 10% of the escaped specimens, in the absence of which it is presumed the existence of environmental damage.

SEVERE CONSEQUENCES

The Government The Chilean and Environmental Organizations agreed that theft of fish is a very serious and unprecedented event, since Salmon were treated with Florfenicol, a is not suitable for human consumption

Fish " may contain antibiotic residues including reactions in individuals allergic to these drugs could be