Sustainability Report

Towards the end of the summer of 2016, salmon farms in Chile were affected by a naturally occurring event known as an algal bloom, which caused high levels of fish mortality. An algal bloom is a rapid increase in the population of algae in the sea, or in freshwater, due to particular conditions of warmer water, low wind, and high rates of radiation hitting the water surface.

Due to the particularly strong ENSO (Southern Oscillation) phenomenon that occurred in 2016, algae grew at an exceptional rate. Unfortunately these specific algae use oxygen throughout the day and night which significantly reduces oxygen levels in the water, and they also have a strong toxin that enters the fish through the gills, and causes blood poisoning.

Despite best efforts to foresee, prevent, and effectively manage this natural event, last year’s algal bloom did impact on salmon mortalities. Our fish health experts rely on the latest and best science available to them, and as part of our commitment to the highest standards of fish health, we continue to look for improved approaches to prevent such impacts, and look for innovative solutions to limit future events. If you would like more information on the impacts of the algal bloom or what these numbers mean please contact the GSI secretariat or the company.

Towards the end of the summer of 2016, salmon farms in Chile were affected by a naturally occurring event known as an algal bloom. An algal bloom is a rapid increase in the population of algae in the sea, or in freshwater, due to particular conditions of warmer water, low wind, and high rates of radiation hitting the water surface.

All GSI members operate in accordance with national regulation sea lice trigger limits, however, the higher sea lice counts recorded during 2016 are related to the environmentally challenging conditions experienced during the algae bloom. Handlings and treatments were initially postponed to maintain fish health and welfare, allowing sea lice loads to increase, with treatments performed later to reduce counts.

Our fish health experts rely on the latest and best science available to them, and as part of our commitment to the highest standards of fish health, we continue to look for improved approaches to prevent such impacts, and look for innovative solutions to limit future events. If you would like more information on the impacts of the algal bloom or what these numbers mean please contact the GSI secretariat or the company.

Due to the harmful algal bloom experienced in Chile in 2016, there were higher levels of fish mortality than expected. As some of these fish were already treated for sea lice as part of their fish health management practices, these treatments were also included in the original calculation for sea lice treatments, even if the fish were not finally harvested for human consumption.

Therefore, a second figure has been provided which shows the number of treatments that only surviving fish harvested for consumption received. If you need more information about the algal bloom or what these numbers mean please contact the GSI secretariat or the company.