New Chile Law Increases Transparency in Salmon Farming, Reduces Threats to Marine Life - Oceana

Victory | January 11, 2023

New Chile Law Increases Transparency in Salmon Farming, Reduces Threats to Marine Life

A new law in Chile will regulate the destructive impacts of the salmon farming industry, following campaigning by Oceana and our allies, including artisanal fishers. The law requires Chile’s Fisheries Service to publish data on the use of antibiotics, antiparasitics, mortalities, and the number of salmon produced by company. Oceana has campaigned for these companies to increase transparency by disclosing this information. The waste generated by enormous numbers of fish packed into pens and excessive use of antibiotics leaks into the ocean and harms marine life. Consequently, bacterial resistance can develop, which threatens marine and human health. The new law also establishes substantial fines for each salmon release and requires farms allowing releases to suspend operations. Salmon are not native to Chile and have no natural predator when they go into the wild, which threatens the ecosystem and local marine life. Artisanal fishers will now be able to catch released salmon, which will further reduce the threat to the marine environment.