Blockades stop Chilean exports
Demonstrations and road blocks organized by Chilean fishermen are impeding the transportation of salmon from processing plants in Chiloe Island.
These demonstrations have been concentrated all over Chiloé Island and in different points in the area near Puerto Montt, and are connected with the presence of the dinophagellate Alexandrium catenella in high concentrations, which produce toxins that cause paralytic shellfish poisoning.
Due to this situation, the Chilean Sanitary Authority closed several areas of mussel farming areas some days ago, as a result small fishermen began demonstrations last Monday, demanding improvements in the economic aid offered during the red tide (about US$ 150 per month).
About two thirds of the country's salmon processing plants are located on Chiloé and, in order to mitigate the effect of these blockades, the Service of Fisheries and Aquaculture (Sernapesca) has authorized companies to maintain fish in holding pre-harvesting pens for a long period, as well as to postpone harvests.
Roadblocks continued until yesterday afternoon, with hundreds of trucks unable to leave the island. This cargo was mainly intended to be exported to the United States, for Mothers' Day.
