Calbuco faces a massive salmon escape from a cultivation center in the San Antonio sector, an episode that has raised alarms due to its scope and the suspicion of third-party involvement. According to the information gathered by the authorities, the incident led to the release of 42.618 coho salmon, which has triggered a broad institutional deployment.
The affected company, Tornagaleones Marine Farm (Marine Farm), reported that it has implemented its emergency protocols and recapture plans de peces, all of this under direct supervision of the authorityAt the same time, the population has been urged to believe that escaped salmon are not suitable for consumption, given the associated health risk.
What happened and how many fish escaped
According to the National Fisheries and Aquaculture Service (Sernapesca), the total de peces who left the facilities amounts to 42.618 coho salmon. Until the Sunday following the incident, the preliminary balance indicated that only around the 3% was recaptured, while work continued in the area.
The first expert reports point to damage to two cage rafts, with evidence of network outages containment. In the San Antonio area, sections were observed with openings that, according to investigations, would exceed the 15 meters, facilitating mass escape to the inland sea.
Days before the incident, the theft of diving equipment in the same sector, a precedent that reinforces the theory of a deliberate intervention. These previous events are part of the line of investigation on possible sabotage.
Investigation underway and suspicion of sabotage
La Los Lagos Regional Prosecutor's Office instructed the Criminal Investigation Brigade (Bicrim) of the PDI to clarify what happened and it is not ruled out to refer background information to the Bidet (Environmental Crimes Brigade). The actions include technical expert reports, material reviews, and witness registration.
The mayor of Calbuco, Marco(s) Silva, confirmed the discovery of knives and sections of cut meshes at the scene, which supports the hypothesis of a premeditated act. The local authority also warned of the need for rapid and coordinated responses among relevant agencies.
The company filed the corresponding complaint and emphasized its commitment to compliance. The general manager, Roberto Riethmüller, noted that the protocols were immediately activated and that the recapture is being carried out with accompaniment of the authority, reiterating the focus on environmental responsibility.
Health and environmental risks
The Los Lagos Regional Health Secretariat alerted the community: escaped salmon are not suitable for human consumptionThe recommendation is not to acquire these fish through informal channels, nor to manipulate them, given the health risk that they suppose.
In parallel, Sernapesca and other institutions monitor the impact on the marine ecosystemThe presence of a high volume of uncontrolled salmon can generate interactions with native fauna and effects on the food chain, aspects that are under observation while the recapture progresses.
Measures in progress and next steps
The company maintains operations of recapture in coordination with the sector authorities. These efforts prioritize areas near the farming center and adjacent sea strips, with the aim of reduce to a minimum the permanence of specimens in the environment.
The judicial proceedings continue their course, with technical appraisals, taking statements and analyzing material evidence to determine possible responsibilities. The investigation also reviews previous history in the area that could be linked to organizations dedicated to salmon theft.
The episode leaves on the table the mass escape in Calbuco and the need to strengthen controls, speed up recapture and clarify whether there was possible sabotageWhile the case progresses, the official call is to avoid consumption. de peces escapees and heed the recommendations of health authorities and the fishing sector.
