Chile's Aysén Region Deploys Early 2026-2027 Summer Algal Bloom Prevention and Control, Mass Salmon Mortality Emergency Plan Enters Drill Phase
On October 22, 2026, Chile's Aysén Region fisheries and aquaculture agencies, the military, and salmon farming companies held a coordination meeting to deploy early warning systems, review emergency plans, and assess response capacity for harmful algal blooms and mass salmon mortality events that may be triggered by El Niño.
On October 22, 2026, a coordination meeting convened by the Salmon Council was held in Chile's Aysén Region, attended by the National Fisheries and Aquaculture Service (Sernapesca), multiple public agencies, and salmon farming companies operating locally. The goal was to coordinate responses to environmental emergencies that El Niño may trigger during the 2026-2027 spring-summer season, with a focus on mass salmon mortality caused by harmful algal blooms (FAN).
Participants included the Regional Secretariat of the Ministry of Economy, Development and Tourism of Aysén Region, the Undersecretariat of Fisheries and Aquaculture (Subpesca), Sernapesca, the Fisheries Development Institute (IFOP), the Chilean Navy, and aquaculture companies operating in Aysén Region. The meeting discussed preparatory measures and coordination mechanisms among parties to ensure timely response in the event of fish mortality incidents.
Sernapesca stated that during 2026 it has carried out multiple activities with industry and public agencies, including seminars and workshops aimed at improving preparedness for harmful algal blooms. These efforts cover coordination of early warning systems, review of company procedures and action plans, preparedness drills, and assessment of response capacity for mass mortality events.
Daniela Leiva, Sernapesca's Aysén Regional Director, stressed the importance of taking these measures early. "We value public-private cooperation in addressing possible environmental emergencies. The critical period of the expected El Niño event is set to begin in December, so coordinated action and early measures are essential," she said. She also said the agency participated in a simulation drill organized by the maritime authority, which assessed response times and current conditions for responding to environmental emergencies and identified areas for improvement in both the public and private sectors.
Rolf Traeger, Aysén Regional Director of the Salmon Council, expressed concern about the environmental and production consequences of the anticipated scenarios. "As the Salmon Council, we are deeply concerned about the current situation and its potential consequences for national employment and production," he said. He noted that the Council has worked with Sernapesca to promote actions that have led regional authorities and public services to recognize the need for preventive measures and continuous monitoring. He also cautioned that potential consequences could affect the Los Lagos, Aysén and Magallanes regions.
Against this backdrop, the Interagency Environmental Emergency Committee (CIICA) continues its preparatory work for the 2026-2027 spring-summer season, focusing on monitoring, timely information exchange, and the capacity to coordinate responses to possible environmental emergencies.
The day before the meeting, on October 21, 2026, media had already reported that the government was strengthening coordination efforts on harmful algal blooms for the 2026-2027 season.