Citizens in Chile are demanding the Chilian government respond to a growing public health crisis, as over 20 million fish have been found dead recently. This seasons “red tide” is caused by the algal bloom which turns the waters red and renders seafood poisonous, has been the most devastating red tide in the countries history. Ecowatch.com reports: Reuters reported in March that the deadly bloom has decimated 15 percent of Chile’s salmon production putting the total economic blow from lost production at around $800 million. The government has declared an emergency zone in the south of Chile as it deals with the red tide. The Guardian reported that the algal bloom has been rapidly spreading along the coast of Patagonia for hundreds of miles, poisoning dozens of people and spurring angry protests from fishermen. Record red tide killing lots of fish in Chile’s hot ocean https://t.co/5DvDxLDJQL https://t.co/cqYfjqoU8Q pic.twitter.com/ywKy0w5WDc — Bill McKibben (@billmckibben) May 12, 2016 According to Earth First! Journal, tens of thousands of people have been involved in riots in Valparaíso, Santiago, Concepción, Temuco, Valdivia, Osorno, and Puerto Mont to support Chiloé Island, whose salmon farms have suffered most from the lethal algal bloom, which emits a toxin that paralyzes or kills marine life. Undercurrent News reported that salmon farmers [...]
