MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Chilean fish and fruit industries leery of El Niño

Chile's Meteorological Institute predicts El Niño will hit Chile harder than expected this year, with more rain and Pacific Ocean temperatures up by half a degree Celsius.

The news is of special concern to Chile's fresh fruit and fish industries.

"If we have more rain during the summertime harvest, it will result in serious difficulties and raise production costs," said Juan Carlos Sepúlveda, the general director of the Federation of Chile's Fruit Producers (Fedefruta).

El Niño's unhappy appearance in 1997-98 is still a fresh memory for many. It was El Niño's second strongest appearance in the past century and caused significant damage to the fish industry of Pacific facing countries.

"We follow the scientific studies very closely, and I would say there is anxiety, but no alarm," said Cristián Jara, general director at the National Fish Society (Sonapesca).

Archaeological evidence suggests that El Niño has been occurring for at least 15,000 years. But it is only since the mid 1970s, and the recognition of its severe impact on climate, that the phenomenon has gained worldwide attention. The Santiago Times