Salmon production will exceed pre-ISA levels
In 2008 the local industry reached its peak: more than 580,000 gross tonnes. However, the ISA crisis caused a decrease to 400,000 tonnes in 2009 and in turn, it was predicted that in 2010 it will fell again to 245,000 tonnes. Nevertheless, the general manager of the Chilean Salmon Association (SalmonChile), Carlos Odebret, said that "we will reach production levels higher than before the ISA virus, which require a higher health status and changes to regulations, a joint effort beyond the law itself, such is the case of fish farms distance, relocation of concessions and surveillance to the roe imports".
According to the financial journal Estrategia, so far this year the local producers have shown frank signs of recovery, consistent with what Odebret said. Invertec Pesquera Mar de Chiloé expects to sow six million smolts in 2010, closing the year with 11,000 tonnes of production, while in 2011 they expect to produce 23,000 tonnes and their plan for 2016 aims to reach 40,000 tonnes. The same happens with Pesquera Itata. They expect to sow 7.5 million smolts this year, after having suspended this process during 2009 due to the ISA virus. The company's general manager, Gerardo Balbontín, forecasted that "we will have a great harvest during this first half-year, with 12,000 tonnes of Atlantic salmon and 1,500 tonnes of Rainbow trout".
Odebret said, regarding the above, that "actually there are companies that are contributing positively, as the current health condition is acceptable to sow smolts. What we are seeing is a sign of confidence of the producers, something similar to what happens to investors, so that farms and provider companies are being benefited".
