Authorities are looking for any irregularities in salmon mortality rates.
The National Fisheries and Aquaculture Service (SERNAPESCA) has begun a second phase of investigations against the Norwegian-owned company Nova Austral, reports El Mostrador.
Last week, the same publication posted that it had been leaked emails alleging that Nova Austral’s area managers were given instructions to manipulate salmon mortality statistics presented to the auditing authority.
The salmon farmer has denied this and released to statement on Friday outlining each accusation. It also said that it is currently carrying out an internal investigation to confirm whether the emails were edited or manipulated by an anonymous party.
“The Superintendency of the Environment (SMA) has initiated a complementary investigation to the one announced sectorally by Sernapesca, in order to determine eventual infractions to the environmental regulations applicable by Nova Austral, linked to the management of the mortality generated in its facilities,” SMA regional office head (Magallanes) Andy Morrison told El Mostrador.
