Salmon harvests decreased 68.9% in January

Chile: Chilean salmonids harvests totalized 29,800 tonnes in January 2010 representing a downfall of 68.9% compared with the same month of 2009 according to figures submitted by the Chilean Fisheries Under-Secretariat (Subpesca).

Christian Pérez

Comparison of results itemized by specie shows a 79.3% decrease in Atlantic salmon harvests to 8,594 tonnes; a 25% drop in Rainbow trout harvests to 12,120 tonnes and a 76.2% decrease in Coho salmon harvests to 9,045 tonnes.

Local eggs production totalized 19.6 million units in January, when only Atlantic salmon eggs were produced. Meanwhile, imports of eggs totalized 31.5 million between in the month, separated in 35.7% of Atlantic salmon eggs and 64.3% of Rainbow trout eggs.

Total aquaculture exports in January 2010
Species                        Tons 2009         Tons 2010              Variation (%)
Atlantic salmon               41, 474               8,595                     -79.3
Chilean mussel                16,687             17,670                        5.9
Rainbow trout                  16,164              12,120                     -25.0
Coho salmon                   38,076               9,045                     -76.2
Gracilaria                          3,076                  965                     -68.5
Northern scallop                   868                  997                       14.9
Spirulina                                 0                     0                         0.0
Pacific oyster                           3                     8                      166.7
Others                                 140                 194                       38.6
Total                             116,474             49,593                     -57.4

Source: Chilean Fisheries Under-Secretariat (Subpesca) upon figures from the National Customs Service and the Instituto de Fomento Pesquero (IFOP).