Sernapesca strengthens public-private working groups for possible El Niño contingencies

The National Fisheries and Aquaculture Service (Sernapesca) is strengthening public-private coordination to address possible El Niño-related contingencies in fisheries, aquaculture and salmon farming, given effects such as warmer waters, weaker coastal upwelling and a higher risk of harmful algal blooms and mass fish mortalities. Actions include meetings of the Interinstitutional Committee on Environmental Contingencies (CIICA) at central and regional levels (Los Lagos, Aysén and Magallanes), workshops with the salmon industry on alert coordination, action plans and transport requirements, a mass mortality drill in three regions, and continued sanitary monitoring of bivalve shellfish to certify exports to the European Union. The article cites NOAA's August 2026 update: over 90% probability of a very strong El Niño in 2026-2027 and 69% probability of an event of historic intensity between October and December 2026.