CHILE.
SALMON CRISIS.
Chile is the words second largest producer and exporter of farmed salmon and trout, after Canada. Both ends of the American continent enjoy an abundance of fresh water and the required cool climate, to make fish farming very profitable.
However salmon farming in Chile was brought to an abrupt halt in July of 2007, when the dreaded lethal virus known as salmon anaemia SA, was found in the fish farms of the nation.
Fish farms cover an area of 6,172 hectares in Chile and there are applications with the government, to increase this by a further 70%.
The industry generates an export revenue of US$2.2 billion, employing over 55,000 people and one of the mainstays of the economy.
SA has now been found in 25 different fish farms, export bans have been introduced by most of the industries regular countries of supply.
There are a further 16 farms under revue, this means the farms must be cleared of stock and the tanks emptied, then disinfected throughout and left empty for at least one year.
The government have been supporting the industry in this terrible time, now tax payers are complaining that they have to pay the bill.
The American press have been instrumental in media hype and alarm, with headlines like "Salmon virus indicts Chiles fishing farms for being dirty" in the New York Times on March 27 2008.
This really is so wrong of the USA, one could reply Doctor Doctor heal thyself. Looking at their own beef recalls and the problems in South Korea.
Meanwhile Chile has to struggle on, closing farms and leaving them fallow at great cost to communities and the economy.
Chile is investing US$18 million in a new London embassy, to house 50 diplomats and building will commence in 2009.
