MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Regional News.

Headlines
Honey alert in Chile; Foreigners prefer Torres del Paine; Bait for tooth-fish.

Honey alert in Chile

An estimated 500 apiaries with 80 million bees destroyed in the coming days by Chilean authorities after it was confirmed they were contaminated with an insecticide harmful for human life. "In the coming five days 80 million honey producing bees will be destroyed in the ovens of a cement factory", said Daniel Verdesci, head of the Health Service in Valparaíso, a hundred miles west of Santiago. Mr. Verdesci added that once it has been confirmed that the whole population of contaminated bees has been eliminated, "we will authorize bee keepers in the region to begin again producing honey". However bee farmers announced they will be demanding compensation from a well known winery who they claim is responsible for the fumigation with the pesticide to kill the "yellow jacket" wasps, but that also contaminated honey producing bees. The "yellow jacket" wasp is aggressive, voracious and when challenged immediately reacts attacking and causing painful stings. They also feed on sweetened fluids and proteins such as ripe fresh fruit, flowers nectar and pet food. The decision to destroy the apiaries was taken to protect the Chilean honey industry that in the first half of this year has exported the equivalent of 24 million US dollars. The average overseas sale in the last six years has been four million US dollars.

Foreigners prefer Torres del Paine

Visitors affluence to Chile's world famous Torres del Paine national park increased 3,6% during the first half of the current year compared to 2002. According to the latest data form the Chilean National Forests Corporation during the six months of 2003, a total of 16,086 nationals visited Torres del Paine, and 31,947 foreigners. The greatest concentration of visitors is during the first quarter of the year; January 17,147; February, 16,293 and 7,945 in March. During winter months, the affluence of visitors in mostly Chilean when hotels in the national park target residents of Magallanes and Ultima Esperanza regions with promotional fares. Prices range between 30 and 50 US dollars for full board. Most regional visitors to Torres del Paine come from Argentina and Brazil, with Spain, Germany and the United Kingdom from overseas.

Bait for tooth-fish

A Spanish reefer unloaded last week 383 tons of sardine from Vigo, which makes excellent bait for tooth-fish, cod, other deep-sea fish and king crab, according to the Punta Arenas, "La Prensa Austral". Reefer "Sierra Granera" belongs to Spanish suppliers Marinorte and left for Vigo with frozen fish from Pesca Cisne. Marinorte vessels visit Punta Arenas monthly with three of their units, "Sierra Granera", "Sierra Gredo", and "Sierra Lara". La Prensa Austral points out that the 383 tons of sardine was "an exceptional and uncommon" volume.