Winter is affecting the shrimp sector, the National Chamber of Aquaculture (CNA) reported. The latest event took place this Friday, April 7, after the overflowing of the La Camarona river, which caused great damage in El Morro and Safando, in the province of Guayas.

According to the union, this has seriously affected shrimp production and the damage is still being assessed and action is being sought with the relevant authorities. In addition, the union counted more than 100 families associated with the shrimp sector that were affected by natural phenomena in recent weeks.

The quake left more than $10 million in losses to the shrimp industry, which continues to assess the damage

For example, after the earthquake recorded on March 18 and the overflow of the Santa Rosa River, in the province of El Oro, on the 24th of the same month, more than 3,516 hectares were affected, and the losses amounted to almost 3 million dollars. figures collected by the Ministry of Aquaculture until the first week of April, reported CNA, which explained that the economic losses occurred because the product could not be mobilized, and there were also delays in the provision of sanitary, food and medical supplies.

“The earthquake destroyed walls, camp infrastructure, pumping stations, power generators and conduit systems, internal roads, septic tanks, supply depots, houses, warehouses, canals, gates, ventilation equipment, guardhouses and pillars. As a social effect, an unusual rotation of shifts until the execution of risky repairs was recorded,” specified the union.

The most affected areas were Santa Rosa, Machala, Huaquillas, Arenillas and El Guabo with more than 2,204.88 hectares. On the other hand, the impact of an atypical winter for the shrimp sector leads to a change in physico-chemical parameters and environmental imbalance, which results in viral and bacterial diseases of shrimp; In addition, it affects the quality of water and soil.

“When the tide rises, there is a risk of animals escaping into the pools, which can cause future genetic changes. It is added that during the winter season the presence of dinoflagellates is recorded in the so-called red tide. This affects the quality of the shrimp and requires special handling in the pools,” CNA explained in a statement.