Another diver dies in an accident at a Chilean salmon farm

Authorities in Chile have launched an investigation into the death of a commercial diver who was working at a salmon farm operated by Australis Seafoods.

The diver, named as Manuel Matus Camayo, was working for contractor DM Services at the Martita salmon farm, in the King channel, in the northern sector of the Aysén Province.

Octavio Valenzuela, the maritime governor of Aysén, told regional media that the incident was reported yesterday at 10.40 am, when a phone call was received from the fish farm.

Australis Seafood told Fish Farming Expert’s sister site, Salmonexpert.cl, that “we deeply regret the death of a collaborator of the contracting company DM Services, which occurred yesterday, January 8, while diving work was being carried out at one of our farming centres located in the Aysén Region”.

Operations halted

The company said the circumstances of the tragedy are currently under investigation.

“From the outset, and in strict compliance with current regulations, operations were immediately halted, the corresponding safety protocols were activated, and the competent maritime authority was notified,” said Australis, which is owned by Chinese company Joyvio.

Australis said DM Services, through its representatives, has made direct contact with the diver’s family, “remaining available to provide all the support and assistance that is necessary at this difficult time”.

Australis also expressed “our most sincere condolences to the family, friends and colleagues of the deceased employee, standing in solidarity with them in the face of this irreparable loss”.

In July last year, a diver died while performing routine work tasks at Australis Seafoods' Canalad site, also in the Aysén region. And in April 2025, a diver working at a salmon farm in the port of Chacabuco, in the Aysén region, also died. The tragedy occurred less than a week later another diver died while working on a mussel farm.