Red tide conflict nears its end
Chile: Six of the largest towns in the Chiloé Island have accepted the Governmental offer. Blockades, protests and demonstrations are decreasing, while the Army is ensuring the food supplies in the zone, 13 days after this conflict started.
As soon as she arrived from visiting Sweden and the UK last Saturday, May 14th, the Chilean President Michelle Bachelet designated the Minister of Economy, Luis Felipe Céspedes, as ‘coordinator minister’ in the conflict area, to lead solutions against the consequence of the worst microalgae and PSP bloom ever registered in the country.
After several meetings with the minister Céspedes, the representatives of the small fishermen in the towns of Castro, Dalcahue, Puqueldón, Quinchao, Queilén and Curaco de Vélez have already accepted to conclude their demonstrations in the Chiloé Island, while negotiations continue with representatives from other towns, such as Ancud, for example.
Meanwhile, according to the Chilean newspaper El Mercurio, the Army is ensuring the distribution of food and gas supplies in the island, although there is still a blockade in the largest access to Chiloé in the Chacao Channel.
Potential impact of salmon farming will be investigated
The local Government has commissioned the Chilean Academy of Sciences as a guarantor of a study composed by five researchers, who will investigate the causes of the environmental crisis affecting the coastal edge of the region of Los Lagos.
The scientific commission is headed by Maria Teresa Ruiz, National Science Award astronomer who has already moved to the conflict zone, according to Radio Biobio.
With the study of the situation, the Government seeks to address the doubts generated by the disposal of about 4,600 tonnes of decaying salmon 75 miles off the coast of Los Lagos, according to data provided by the National Service of Fisheries and Aquaculture (Sernapesca).
Chiloe fishermen and citizens suggest that the event would be linked to the strong red tide affecting the area. Scientific researchers from various institutions agree on the lack of knowledge of the area and the lack of studies on Harmful Algal Blooms (HAB) in Chiloe.
Meanwhile, last Tuesday the Chilean Society of Marine Sciences described as “insignificant” the disposal of fish authorized by the Navy and Sernapesca, linking the phenomenon of red tide to one of the effects of El Niño, which draw nutrients and increased water temperature on the coast of Los Lagos.
