Planta Talcahuano: Following a harmful algal bloom that caused widespread salmon mortality in the Los Lagos and Aysén regions in early 2021, the dead fish were transported to the Landes fish processing plant in Talcahuano, Biobío Region for processing into fishmeal and fish oil. Flavia Liberona, executive director of Terram Foundation, an environmental non-profit organization, said “The high mortality of fish must be removed, but in doing so, it spreads to other places. Additionally, we are facing an emergency here, where the necessary biosecurity measures for this type of case are likely not being considered.”¹ In response, residents of Talcahuano filed a legal appeal with the Court of Appeals of Concepción to stop the continued arrival of the dead fish, citing fears of bay contamination and potential ecological harm.² In February 2023, the Redacamo lagoon in Talcahuano turned red, and the provincial health ministry found that this “was caused by the poor handling of wastewater from the Blumar and Landes fishing plants,” according to a government document obtained by Resumen Chile.³ Health inspectors paused fishing in the lagoon until the investigation concluded, reported Sabes.⁴ The industrial waste caused “unpleasant odors” and killed dozens of fish and other animals in the lagoon, according to a Facebook post by La Editorial.⁵ Landes responded by saying that it “does not discharge liquid industrial waste into any surface body of water and that, in compliance with current regulations, it has a discharge system into the sewerage network for proper sanitation by the local sanitation company.”⁶ In December 2023, an investigation concerning Landes was launched after a foul odor was detected in Talcahuano. Residents reported the smell to health officials citing a “putrid smell in the area of ​​Colón Street with Hualpén, which caused headaches, dizziness and vomiting to the neighbors.”⁷ The Landes company “was processing fish waste, which had arrived in trucks, with a high odor load,” according to the health authority. The Environmental Director for the municipality requested an intervention from the regional health ministry.⁸

On January 13, 2023, a crew member aboard a fishing boat owned by Sociedad Pesquera Landes sued the company for compensation for moral damages arising from an occupational accident. The accident in question occurred on February 8, 2022. The crew member was hauling fish up to the boat when he heard a loud noise. He turned towards the direction of the noise, and as he did, a metal piece of equipment hit him in the chest and jaw. As a result of this injury, the crew member suffered pain in his jaw, jaw locking and jaw displacement, and major depressive disorder. The crew member claims he was never given safety training or supervision over the highly dangerous tasks for which he was responsible. The Labor Court ruled that Sociedad Pesquera Landes pay the crew member 5 million Chilean pesos, or approximately $6,225.⁹

Sociedad Pesquera Landes did not respond to a request for comment.¹⁰