Chile’s lawmakers passed a proposed amendment to the country's Fishing and Aquaculture Law allowing fishermen to capture escaped salmon originating from sea farms after the recapture period granted to the company is expired.

The decision by the Chilean lower chamber, which is now under review by the Fisheries Commission, would mean artisanal fishermen can catch salmon in their maritime fishing grounds and would be obliged to report landings to the National Service of Fisheries and Aquaculture (Sernapesca).

However, under the new regulation, fishermen would be banned from capturing escaped fish from a salmon center during the recapture period allowed to the company.

This decision comes months after Chilean salmon farmer Mowi reported a massive escape in Chile, which prompted fishermen in the area to catch the fish and resell it to the company.

The event sparked controversy around the loophole existing in the Chilean Fishing and Aquaculture Law regarding farmed fish escapes and the rights fishermen have over the fish if they land it.

The amendment to the law also says that the theft of salmon from a farming center will be sanctioned with penalties stated in the criminal code -- imprisonment of a minimum of five years and one day to a maximum of ten years depending on the severity of the theft.

In addition, the proposal includes that companies will have to submit monthly biological indicators by center, including amount, type, and use of antibiotics at each site, mortalities, and harvests.

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Aquaculture

Chilean lawmakers pass proposal on salmon escapes, monthly antibiotic reports