Chiloé authorities restrict shellfish harvesting due to red tide

red tide Chiloé shellfish poisoning Bahía Terao Sernapesca

Health authorities in the Los Lagos region have issued a preventive closure of a maritime area in Bahía Terao, located in the Chonchi commune of Chiloé, following the detection of Paralytic Shellfish Poisoning (PSP) toxins. The toxin levels reached a value of 100, exceeding the legal limit of 80.

The restriction, formalized by the Seremi de Salud, prohibits the extraction, sale, and consumption of all resources affected by marine toxins within the specified polygon. This area primarily involves maritime concessions where mussels are harvested. To ensure safety, any products intended for commercialization must undergo mandatory toxicological analysis.

In response, the Chilean Navy has intensified surveillance in the sector using vessels and aircraft, while Carabineros conduct land-based controls. Sernapesca confirmed that the most recent harvest at the affected center occurred in July, meaning no recent products require immediate destruction or withdrawal. Authorities emphasized that toxins cannot be neutralized by cooking and advised the public to purchase seafood only from authorized establishments.

Entities

Bahía Terao · Chiloé · Chonchi · SEREMI de Salud de Los Lagos · Seremi de Salud de la Región de Los Lagos · Sernapesca

Claims

What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.

[○ 1 SOURCE] Enforcement will be carried out by the Health Authority, Maritime Authority, and Carabineros.
[● 3 SOURCES] The Seremi de Salud of Los Lagos issued Resolution Exenta CP N.º 25206/2026. amigafm.cl
[○ 1 SOURCE] Marine toxins are not eliminated by boiling, frying, or cooking.
[● 3 SOURCES] Extraction, sale, and consumption of shellfish subject to marine toxins are prohibited in a specific area of Bahía Terao. amigafm.cl
[● 3 SOURCES] Shellfish intended for commercialization must undergo mandatory toxicological analysis. amigafm.cl
[● 3 SOURCES] The detection was made through the Bivalve Mollusk Sanity Program (PSMB). amigafm.cl
[○ 1 SOURCE] Toxin levels reached a value of 100, which is above the permitted limit of 80.