The Chilean National Fisheries and Aquaculture Service (Sernapesca) reported that on November 14, 13 salmon farms belonging to Reloncaví estuary, in Los Lagos region, activated their emergency plan for harmful algal blooms due to the presence of the microalgae Thalassiosira pseudonana at levels considered harmful to fish.

Seven of the centers also activated their contingency plan for mass mortality associated with the presence of microalgae. Sernapesca reported that only two centers are in this condition.

According to Sernapesca, this algal bloom is not the same as the so-called “red tide”, and therefore there is no impact on bivalve mollusks or other fish.

“In spring, there are ideal light and nutrient conditions that favor the increase of these microalgae. The available information does not allow us to link it with the El Niño that currently affects the north of our country,” said Leonardo Guzmán, expert in algal blooms from IFOP.

Although this algal bloom is not a direct consequence of El Niño, Sernapesca has been reporting since September on the possible effects through workshops in the regions of Los Lagos, Aysén and Magallanes.