Not only do they destroy marine ecosystems, pollute the waters, spread diseases and decim the wild fish populations, but also put human lives at risk. These are the intensive farms of salmon: here in Chile, workers also find death.
This is what happened in one week two divers who recently died while carrying out separate maintenance tasks in the salmon farms belonging to Australis and Blumar. Chilean maritime authorities are now investigating their death.
The two fatal accidents occurred at the end of July, one week from each other. In both cases, the divers were employees of the same maritime service company, Trapén, who also collaborates with other important companies in the sector, such as Aquachile and Salmones Austral.
The first episode was recorded at the Canalad breeding center in Australis, in the Aysén region. The second took place in the Blumar Bahía León breeding center in the Magallanes region.
The two companies, in distinct press releases, expressed condolences for the loss of sub -experts, saying that the causes are still the subject of investigation and declaring their willingness to collaborate fully with the authorities. They also claimed to have followed the expected emergency protocols, providing first aid and immediately informing the competent authorities, as well as starting internal investigations.
But the numbers are clear: according to the association of sub -professionals of Chile, between 2004 and 2022, 245 underwater accidents were occurred in the breeds of Salmon Chilean, 44 of which with a fatal outcome.
The episodes of July were defined as “a tragic example of the high level of risk” to which the underwater workers of the salmon industry are still exhibited.
The conditions of farms and workers
The salmon sector in Chile is one of the largest in the world, but it is also among the most criticized for working conditions and environmental impacts. The farms are often located in remote and cold areas, where underwater maintenance operations expose workers to high risks: hypothermia, decompression, defective equipment and unexpected links linked to currents and weather.
Maintenance dives are essential to ensure the cleaning of the networks, the repair of cages and the management of unwanted fauna. However, the production pressure and the deadlines imposed by companies can push to reduce breaks, limit controls and work even in non -ideal conditions.
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On the environmental level, the intensive salmon in Chile farms are accused of polluting the waters with residues of feed, antibiotics and organic waste, promoting diseases and parasites that can also spread to wildlife.
The deaths of the two divers are not isolated episodes, but a symptom of a structural problem: safety at work in this sector remains insufficient. The same official data show that, despite protocols and regulations, the risks for those who work under water remain high and the prevention measures are often not adequately applied.
Blumar exports mainly to the United States and Europe; Australis Mar sells in Russia and Chile, with mothers connected to global retailers. It is clear that this is also a system based on the exploitation of workers, as well as oceans and communities.
What can we do? The associations tell us clearly: do not support salmon breeding!
Sources: SeafoodSource /Seaspiracy
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