Farmers face eruption concerns

As reported by Chile's National Service of Geology and Mining (Sernageomin), seismic activity has occurred in the area since February 15.

"If the process escalates it could lead to destabilization of the volcanic system," explained the agency.

"The presence of a glacier at its summit and the steep slope of its flanks suggest that the greatest danger associated is the occurrence of landslides," the agency added.

In the area, there are several land-based salmonid farming facilities that could be affected in case of intensified volcanic activity. These fish farms belong to Hendrix Genetics and Los Fiordos. In conversation with Salmonexpert, both companies said they are monitoring conditions as well as reviewing contingency plans with their workers.

Hendrix Genetics

According to Rodrigo Torrijo, general manager of Hendrix Genetics Aquaculture Chile, the Lanín volcano should not have a direct impact on its facilities, due to the watershed where the Catripulli fish farm is located.

The manager said that they have intensified the monitoring of some parameters in its aspect, such as the pH. "Until this (Friday) morning, the readings are totally normal, but we will continue to monitor. We sampled water for a thorough analysis; especially metals such as copper and aluminium, and we have also been recommended to leave samples of chilled water. This is in addition to a close observation of fish behaviour, which is often the first indicator of a change in water chemistry. But so far, everything looks normal,” he said.

Like other fish farms, they have Contingency Plans should the alert be stepped-up.

“These begin by establishing open channels of communication with local authorities; in our case the Municipality of Curarrehue; Carabineros of Catripulli and Sernapesca in Temuco. Since we were informed by the Municipality of Curarrehue on Wednesday afternoon, together with the joint committee and the workers' union, we have been informing our staff, reviewing our Contingency Plan with them, identifying the safe areas and defining the roles of each if an evacuation is necessary,” the executive said.

In case of an eruption, he assured that worker safety is the first priority.

"Therefore, we are in permanent contact with the authorities to know in a timely manner if an evacuation of the area becomes necessary. As long as the alert stays amber, that is not necessary. The idea is that we all know exactly what to do in that case; so it is important to review the protocols with each of our workers, with the help of the joint committee and the union,” he said.

In relation to fish, the first thing they did was to review the stock of critical inputs (oxygen); And that the sludge and silage systems were clean and with good storage capacity.

"Depending on the course of the situation of the volcano, or any important changes that we detect in the quality of the water, we will evaluate the option of moving stock to other fish farms; For now we are only analysing options and maintaining a seamless communication with Sernapesca,” added Torrijo.

Los Fiordos

Francisco Sandoval, manager of Sustainability and Relations with the Community of Los Fiordos, commented that, to date, they have not noticed changes in the environment of their fish farms at Curarrehue and Catripulli, and that they have been in permanent communication with the authorities to monitor any changes in the alert condition.

"A specific response plan has been generated according to the hazard map prepared by Sernageomin for the Lanín volcano, complementary to the emergency response plan to volcanic eruption. The stock of all the necessary inputs for the normal operation of both fish farms has been reviewed and personnel have been trained in all the measures to be taken in the event of a change to a red alert,” he explained.

Finally, he explained that, in the event of a Red Alert, “all personnel of the fish farms must go to the designated security zones and proceed with the orderly evacuation of the facilities in vans that the company will have in place. In case the transfer of the fish is required, we have previously defined the place where they would be sent and the safe transfer routes for these purposes, in coordination with the authorities."