Chilean authorities order provisional measures against salmon processor plant due to noise

The Chilean Superintendence of the Environment (SMA) has ordered provisional pre-procedural measures against the initiative DIA, Expansion of the Marine Harvest Processing Plant – Chamiza launched by Salmones Austral.

The Chamiza salmon processing plant is located in the municipality of Puerto Montt, Los Lagos Region, and has been environmentally approved since August 2005.

This action is a consequence of the complaints made by citizens about noise coming from the facility. After an evaluation, it was found that the noise level exceeded the maximum limit established by the Ministry of the Environment for rural areas.

The operation involves the use of cooling towers, refrigeration equipment, fans, machine rooms, electric generators, and raw material loading/unloading pumps, among others.

Regarding the procedure, Ivonne Mansilla, head of the SMA Regional Office of Los Lagos, explained: "The measures are issued following the reception of citizen complaints about noise from residents, who are experiencing a negative impact on their quality of life. Based on this information and on-site measurements, the SMA has ordered these measures so that the company can implement actions to mitigate the excess decibels recorded during its operation."

Measures to be adopted

The SMA has ordered Salmones Austral to adopt the following measures within 15 business days:

• Create a technical acoustic report that includes a survey of all devices generating noise emissions, as well as an assessment of acoustic projection during both daytime and nighttime hours.

• Propose permanent acoustic improvements that can be implemented in the establishment, detailing the timeline for their implementation, not exceeding one month.

• Submit weekly progress reports on the implementation of improvements, including dated and georeferenced photographs.

• Provide an inspection report confirming the proper implementation of improvements and a noise measurement report conducted by an authorized Environmental Technical Inspection Entity (ETIE).