Biologist and CONICET researcher Guillermo Folguera stated that if the law prohibiting salmon farming is repealed tomorrow, it will destroy several ecosystems in the province of Tierra del Fuego and cause irreparable losses. According to the Argentine News Agency, this fact mainly refers to Provincial Law 1355, which prohibits salmon aquaculture. Local lawmakers are seeking to repeal this prohibition, despite opposition from the community and, above all, due to the environmental damage this practice entails. Folguera appeared on the program 'A Perfect Sunday', hosted by Carolina Fernández on Radio Splendid, and asserted that it is not specifically about the production of salmon, but about the methods used by large salmon companies to carry out these practices. "We are not just in a debate about protecting versus producing, but we have to discuss the ways of producing," he maintained. On the other hand, he explained the production model implemented in producing countries and how, by sustaining this procedure over time, it generates pollution, damage to ecosystems, and precarious conditions for the fish, which are exposed to diseases. "The damage from mega-factories in salmon production around the world is clearly documented. They will be authorizing the poisoning and intoxication of the sea," he sentenced. "Large tubes are used that are submerged in the sea, where each of those tubes contains 100,000 specimens," he said. He also added: "Many of these companies have ten tubes in the sea, which means we are talking about more than a million fish in crowded conditions." The environmental consequences are catastrophic, as these fish excrete fecal matter inside the containers, which causes their immune system to become weak and makes them prone to contracting diseases. "When they get sick, the producers do nothing but throw fungicides, antibiotics, and antivirals into the ocean." Guillermo Folguera also made it clear that if the repeal of the law is approved tomorrow, it would be endorsing the death of the sea. "It is shocking that they want to approve that tomorrow in Tierra del Fuego. The entire environment receives the feces and chemicals, which means that the rest of the marine animals are indirect victims of these practices," he explained. Folguera also exposed that Argentina uses the Chilean model as a reference, which has an unfavorable history and reflects the problems it causes. "We have the Chilean model very close, which shows how the seabottom rots and dies, and shortly after these productions have to be moved."
