Subpesca amends Stocking Reduction Program (PRS).
The Chilean Undersecretariat of Fisheries and Aquaculture (Subpesca) made changes to the Stocking Reduction Program (PRS) aimed at reducing risks and improving health in salmon farming, as reported in El Mercurio.
Previously the standard only allowed a 3% expansion but now salmon farmers may increase stocking up to 9% from one cycle to the next.
Read more: Chile imposes new density regulations
9% growth is only limited to companies whose farms had no more than 10% mortality rates, and use between 0 grams and 150 grams of antibiotics per ton of salmon produced.
If that number is between 150 grams and 300 grams for each ton produced of salmon, then 6% will be allowed.
In the event of a farm that uses between 300 grams and 600 grams of antibiotic per ton produced, the increase will be only 3%. However, in the case of using more than 600 grams of antibiotics per ton produced, a reduction will be applied.
If a company reports a mortality rate of 14% per cycle, they then will have to reduce their salmon production – regardless of the the amount of antibiotic treatments they use.
The new rules are expected to come into force in 2019.
