Following the emergency experienced at the “Caicura” cultivation center, where a strong Puelche wind storm affected Blumar’s facilities, which occurred in the early hours of Saturday, a salmon recapture plan was implemented, making Saturday’s workday intense with the implementation of various actions to overcome the escape situation.

Blumar Salmon Manager, Pedro Pablo Laporte, commented that there is still no certainty about the magnitude of the escape, since the cages are out of sight. “Adverse weather conditions do not yet allow us to review the metal cages, so we do not know with precision if there is live, dead, or escaped salmon. We will have certainty when we have access to the center”, he said and added that vessels are ready to access the facilities when weather improves and operations can be carried out without risk, such as the transfer of the Pontoon to Puerto Montt, to keep it protected, as well as the final inventory of lost salmon.

 “Yesterday we worked with the communities and fishermen’s unions to list those who will work on the recapture, and we enrolled more than 400 fishermen in the request, which is in the process of Sernapesca approval. We have already agreed on an initial fair value for the fishermen, which contributes to family income, especially in these times of Covid-19 that we are experiencing”, said Blumar Salmon Manager, Pedro Pablo Laporte, who added that the authorized community will work on recapture for at least 30 days, as the protocol requires, with all fish deposited at authorized and supervised collection points, to then be transported and seized at La Portada, a reduction company that evaluates the condition of the product, using part of it to produce fish meal and oil. It is worth noting that the law stipulates that any fish collection that is done must be covered by express authorization from Blumar and Sernapesca.

Additionally, Blumar has arranged for these activities to be carried out respecting social distancing due to the pandemic situation currently being faced, which is why it has arranged for the delivery of masks and procedures to avoid overcrowding.

Pedro Pablo Laporte highlighted the positive attitude displayed by the fishermen. “They have been very collaborative in this emergency and I believe it is due to the good relations we have established as Blumar and also to the role played by Salmon Chile in being present with the industry and communities, which has been a bridge to face this in a better way. Today there is trust and it is easier to talk and work this way. We have also felt supported by the other salmon companies who have expressed their support and put all their experience at our disposal to better face this crisis”, highlighted Blumar Salmon Manager.