Salmon harvests decreased 59% as of May

Chile: Harvest of Chilean salmonids totalized 102,100 tonnes as of May 2010 representing a 59.6% downfall compared to the same period of 2009 according to figures submitted by the Chilean Fisheries Under-Secretariat (Subpesca).

Christian Pérez

A comparison of results itemized by specie shows a 68.7% decrease in Atlantic salmon harvests from 123,202 tonnes to 38,567 tonnes; a 37.4% drop in Rainbow trout harvests to 49,985 tonnes and a 72.6% decrease in Coho salmon harvests down to 13,522 tonnes.

Local roe production totalized 511 million units as of May: 238.7 million eggs of Atlantic salmon; 85.6 million eggs of Rainbow trout; 186 million eggs of Coho salmon; and 621,000 eggs of King salmon. Meanwhile, roe imports totalized 66.5 million, separated in 29.4% of Atlantic salmon eggs and 70.6% of Rainbow trout eggs.

Total aquaculture exports as of May 2010
Species                     Tons 2009       Tons 2010            Variation (%)
Atlantic salmon              123,202             38,567                      -68.7
Chilean mussel              109,998           163,395                       48.5
Rainbow trout                  79,897             49,985                      -37.4
Coho salmon                   49,400             13,522                      -72.6
Gracilaria                        12,849               4,254                      -66.9
Northern scallop                5,143               5,635                         9.6
Spirulina                              100                     3                      100.0
Pacific oyster                         52                    62                       19.2
Others                              1,392               1,638                       17.7
Total                             382,033             277,061                     -27.5

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