October 16, 2009 12:15 PM
- Text
Atlantic Salmon Shortage's Ripple Effect
(CBS)
In Chile's northern Patagonia, in channels sheltered by the Andes Mountains, the salmon are dying, CBS News Correspondent Mark Strassmann reports.
At fish farms, divers check for signs of a waterborne virus called ISA: Infectious Salmon Anemia.
Harmless to humans and deadly to Atlantic salmon, it's the mostly popular fresh fish to eat for American consumers.
ISA has killed millions of salmon in Chile.
Adolfo Alvial was production manager at Marine Harvest, the world's biggest salmon company.
Strassmann asked, "How demoralizing was it when all of a sudden you had all of these dead fish?"
"Terrible," said Adolfo. "I mean terrible."
In some areas there were too many farms, producing too many fish in an area that was too small. Once the virus hit, it struck almost everywhere.
In Chile, second only to Norway as the world's largest salmon producer, production has plummeted by a third: from 227,000 tons last year to 150,000 tons this year.
America's fish importers have felt it. Outside Atlanta, Joel Knox's company once imported 75,000 pounds of Chilean salmon a week. That's dropped by two-thirds.
"I think it's a disaster, not so much a crisis. I think it's past the point of being a crisis," said Knox.
A disaster that means higher prices to American consumers. Just last December, the retail price of salmon has jumped 52 percent from $2.88 a pound to $4.38 a pound.
To save their industry, Chilean farmers are tracking the virus. And farms will take turns shutting down to give the environment a rest.
But until this industry recovers, you'll pay more for Atlantic salmon.
At fish farms, divers check for signs of a waterborne virus called ISA: Infectious Salmon Anemia.
Harmless to humans and deadly to Atlantic salmon, it's the mostly popular fresh fish to eat for American consumers.
ISA has killed millions of salmon in Chile.
Adolfo Alvial was production manager at Marine Harvest, the world's biggest salmon company.
Strassmann asked, "How demoralizing was it when all of a sudden you had all of these dead fish?"
"Terrible," said Adolfo. "I mean terrible."
In some areas there were too many farms, producing too many fish in an area that was too small. Once the virus hit, it struck almost everywhere.
In Chile, second only to Norway as the world's largest salmon producer, production has plummeted by a third: from 227,000 tons last year to 150,000 tons this year.
America's fish importers have felt it. Outside Atlanta, Joel Knox's company once imported 75,000 pounds of Chilean salmon a week. That's dropped by two-thirds.
"I think it's a disaster, not so much a crisis. I think it's past the point of being a crisis," said Knox.
A disaster that means higher prices to American consumers. Just last December, the retail price of salmon has jumped 52 percent from $2.88 a pound to $4.38 a pound.
To save their industry, Chilean farmers are tracking the virus. And farms will take turns shutting down to give the environment a rest.
But until this industry recovers, you'll pay more for Atlantic salmon.
Latest Now in CBS Evening News
- Evening News Online, 02.11.12
- Catholic votes and the Obama contraceptive quarrel
- Making the 1st ever US women's Olympic boxing team
- Ohio unemployment hits 3-year-low
- Who's really winning the 2012 GOP race?
- Mitt Romney wins Maine GOP caucuses
- In focus: The crisis in Syria
- Syrian forces launch new round of deadly attacks
- Some glimmer of hope in Ohio employment
- Boxing her way into history
- Evening News Online, 02.10.12
- Diplomat: U.S. military not the answer in Syria
- On the Road: Noah's Dream Catcher Network
- Salvaging the Costa Concordia
- Bank deal won't protect federal mortgages
- Ambassador Ford on military help in Syria
- Rare moment of relief in Syria
Latest CBS News Headlines
on Facebook
on CBS News
- Richardson hits nine 3s, Magic top Bucks 99-94
- Smith stops 38 shots, Coyotes top Blackhawks 3-0
- Whitney Houston's voice will never be forgotten
- Reactions to Whitney Houston's death
on Facebook
- Adele sings a cappella for Anderson Cooper
- Occupy protestors kicked out of CPAC
- CPAC: Will Sarah Palin spring a surprise?
- Beyonce and Jay-Z post first photos of Blue Ivy Carter
on CBS News






