Is Salmon from Chile Safe? Everything You Need to Know

Salmon is one of the most popular and nutritious fish in the world. Chile is one of the largest producers of farmed salmon, supplying over 30% of the global demand. However, concerns have been raised over the safety of Chilean salmon. In this article, we’ll take an in-depth look at Chilean salmon farming practices and address the big question – is salmon from Chile safe to eat?

An Overview of Chile’s Salmon Farming Industry

• Chile started raising salmon in the 1980s, and the business has grown very quickly since then. Today, Chile grows more farmed salmon than any other country in the world except Norway.

• Ocean salmon, coho salmon, rainbow trout, and Chilean salmon are the main types of salmon that are farmed in Chile. Most of the salmon farms are in the Los Lagos region in southern Chile. The cold, clear waters and protected inlets and fjords there make it perfect for salmon aquaculture.

• The Chilean salmon farming industry employs over 60,000 people and generates over $4 billion in exports annually. It’s an important economic activity in Chile.

• However the rapid growth of salmon farming in Chile has raised environmental concerns. High density salmon pens discharge waste chemicals and excess feed into the aquatic environment. There have also been outbreaks of infectious salmon anemia (ISA) virus in Chilean salmon farms.

Controversies Around Chilean Salmon Farming

Recently, there has been a lot of attention paid to how safe and environmentally friendly it is for Chile to farm salmon:

• Use of antibiotics and chemicals – Chilean salmon farms were criticized for using high levels of antibiotics, pesticides and other chemicals to control disease and parasites. Many of these substances were dumped into the ocean, raising ecological concerns.

• Fish escapes – Lax regulations in the 1990s led to frequent escapes of farmed salmon into the wild. Escaped salmon can interbreed with wild stocks and spread disease. Over 700,000 salmon escaped into the wild in a single event in 2004.

• Toxic algal blooms – Salmon pens were implicated as one of the causes of a massive algal bloom in 2016 that led to a massive die-off of fish and shellfish along Chilean coasts, costing the industry over $800 million.

• Unsustainable feed – Salmon feed was dependent on unsustainably harvested wild fish like anchovies as a key ingredient. This raises questions about the ecological footprint of Chilean salmon.

• Poor labor practices – The industry was criticized for exploitative labor practices, adversely impacting local communities.

These controversies led to declining public confidence in Chilean salmon, especially in export markets like the USA.

Improvements in Chile’s Salmon Farming Practices

In response to mounting criticism, the Chilean salmon industry has taken steps to improve the sustainability and safety of its practices.

• Stronger regulations – Chile has implemented more stringent requirements around waste discharge, antibiotic usage, fish densities and labor practices.

• Improved fish health management – Farmers now use vaccines more and antibiotics less. Increased fallowing periods and cage rotations help control disease.

• Investment in R&D – The industry is developing vaccines and probiotics to reduce chemical use. New feed formulas are reducing dependence on wild-caught fish.

• Gearing up for ASC certification – Leading Chilean producers are seeking certification from the Aquaculture Stewardship Council (ASC) which has strict standards around environmental and social sustainability.

• Community engagement – Companies are working more closely with local communities and indigenous groups to improve salmon farming’s impact.

Is Chilean Salmon Safe to Eat?

While salmon farmed in Chile has had major environmental and ethical problems in the past, the situation today has improved significantly.

• Government monitoring has found low levels of banned antibiotics and well within safe limits for chemicals.

• Strict regulations are in place around water quality testing and limits for effluent discharge.

• No antibiotics can be used in Chilean salmon production without a prescription from an authorized veterinarian.

• The US FDA inspects Chilean salmon facilities and has placed import alerts only on certain companies, not a blanket ban.

• Traces of any antibiotic residue found in tested Chilean salmon are well below dangerous levels for human consumption.

• Leading salmon producers in Chile are improving their practices and aiming for third-party sustainability certification.

So while not all Chilean salmon producers have the same practices, major companies are taking steps to ensure the salmon they export is safe and environmentally responsible.

How to Choose Responsible Chilean Salmon

• Look for sustainability certifications – Opt for salmon certified by Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) or ASC which require strict audits.

• Check for antibiotic-free labels – Choose salmon marketed as “antibiotic-free” or “no antibiotics ever”. This indicates more responsible production.

• Know your producer – Research companies and their policies around antibiotic use, pollution control and sustainability. Avoid opaque supply chains.

• Support local communities – Purchase salmon from companies giving back to indigenous communities whose waters they farm in.

• Consult reputable guides – Use seafood guides by Monterey Bay Aquarium or others to pick responsibly farmed salmon.

While a few bad players can give Chilean salmon an unfair reputation, consumers have power through their purchases to support responsible salmon farmers.

The Bottom Line

The Chilean salmon industry has come a long way from its troubled past and is taking meaningful steps towards sustainability. While problems still exist, leading Chilean salmon producers are improving their practices to ensure the salmon exported today is safe and responsibly farmed. Conscientious consumers can feel good about eating Chilean salmon that comes from trusted producers using the latest sustainable aquaculture practices. With informed choices, we can encourage a healthier and more ethical salmon farming industry in Chile.