MAGALLANES SALMON FARMERS LAUNCH INNOVATIVE AQUACULTURE MANAGEMENT PROJECT

Magallanes salmon farmers launch innovative aquaculture management project.

• After three years of oceanographic campaigns, epidemiological and sanitary studies, advanced modelling, among other efforts, the Subsecretariat for Fisheries and Aquaculture authorised the subdivision of seven groupings of salmon farming concessions.

The Association of Salmon Farmers of Magallanes, Chile, highlighted the development of an unprecedented project in Chilean salmon farming, promoted by three companies in the sector and supported by more than three years of scientific research, aimed at optimising the distribution of production neighbourhoods in the region and reducing sanitary risk.

This is a joint initiative between Blumar, Australis Mar, and Cermaq Chile that subdivided seven salmon farming concessions in the municipality of Río Verde, seeking to optimise the productive and sanitary management of regional aquaculture. The project is based on advanced modelling, four oceanographic campaigns, systematic collection of environmental and sanitary data, long-term current behaviour analysis, and pathogen dispersion modelling, among other studies that enabled the construction of a robust technical foundation for the subdivision proposal.

“This project reflects the future of aquaculture: a production system based on science and the creation of territorial knowledge, enabling more efficient production with lower sanitary and environmental risks. Magallanes has unique conditions to become an aquaculture powerhouse, and moving forward with robust information allows us to improve sanitary sustainability, operational efficiency, and regional development”, said Carlos Odebret, president of the Association of Salmon Farmers of Magallanes.

The scientific team leading the research included Matías Gargiulo, PhD, marine biologist from IA Consultores; Fernando Mardones, PhD, veterinarian and academic at the University of Edinburgh, who participated in this project through the consulting firm Epivet; and Hernán Rojas, PhD, epidemiologist specialising in sanitary management and director of the consulting firm Ceres BCA. Coordination of this multidisciplinary team was led by veterinarian Eugenio Zamorano, a specialist in aquaculture regulation.

“The value of this work lies in the integration of multiple scientific disciplines to better understand the environmental and sanitary behaviour of farm sites under sub-Antarctic conditions. This type of study allows for better-informed production decisions and reduces uncertainties, while maintaining the region’s good sanitary conditions”, said Dr. Hernán Rojas.

Among the projected benefits is improved sanitary management of farm sites, strengthening biosecurity, reducing risks, and promoting more stable and predictable production cycles, as the study included modelling of currents and pathogen behaviour within them.

“On this occasion, we integrated new oceanographic data that had not previously been available, which allowed us to strengthen and refine our models. This work meets standards comparable to those developed in countries such as Norway, Canada, and Scotland, where this type of study is common practice, and it represents a solid foundation for the future of the industry”, said Dr. Fernando Mardones.

The initiative also contributes to optimizing productive management, enabling improvements in both maritime and land-based logistics, enhancing coordination in the use of vessels, transportation, and associated processes, resulting in greater operational efficiency and reduced pressure on support systems.

“In addition to the operational benefits, this project strengthens scientific knowledge of the regional ecosystem, providing valuable information for the responsible and sustainable development of aquaculture in Magallanes. We believe this sets a standard for our sector and positions the region as a knowledge-based aquaculture development hub”, Odebret concluded.

The project was submitted to the competent authority and evaluated in accordance with current regulatory procedures, reviewed by specialists from Servicio Nacional de Pesca y Acuicultura de Chile (Sernapesca) and the Instituto de Fomento Pesquero de Chile, and approved in January of this year by the Subsecretariat for Fisheries and Aquaculture.

Image; Association of Salmon Farmers of Magallanes