Exploring interdisciplinary collaboration alternatives for more sustainable aquaculture

In Puerto Montt, the main challenges faced by sustainable aquaculture were analyzed and mechanisms to strengthen synergies between disciplines were explored, integrating ecological, social and productive knowledge to address complex issues jointly.

With the aim of promoting collaborative work within the Interdisciplinary Center for Aquatic Research (INCAR²), a Workshop on Construction of Interactions of INCAR² was held in the Dos Esteros events hall of the Austral University of Chile (UACh), Puerto Montt campus.

During the session held on Wednesday, July 1st, the participants analyzed the main challenges facing sustainable aquaculture and explored mechanisms to strengthen synergies between disciplines, integrating ecological, social and productive knowledge to address complex issues jointly.

The event brought together researchers from Research Line 7 "Sustainable interactions between aquaculture, fisheries and ecosystems", with their peers from the lines "Fish diseases and antimicrobial resistance", "Omics solutions for aquaculture", "Stress and animal welfare", "Impacts of aquaculture on ecosystems", "Enhancing resilience in aquaculture" to identify through strategic questions, capacities, needs and potential products of collaboration.

The current and future challenges of sustainable aquaculture are becoming increasingly complex and require an integrated approach that goes beyond disciplines and research lines. Interdisciplinary and interline collaboration allows to connect knowledge, capabilities and experiences to better understand the interactions between aquaculture, fisheries and ecosystems, generating innovative solutions with greater impact. Spaces as this INCAR² workshop on building interactions is fundamental to identify opportunities for collaborative work, strengthen synergies and develop initiatives that contribute to scientific advancement and a more sustainable, resilient aquaculture committed to the challenges of the territory and communities," explained the UACh Academic and Principal Researcher CIA-INCAR², Dr. Carlos Molinet Flores.

During the next few days, the participants will work on a preliminary matrix of collaboration opportunities, which will allow the alignment of efforts and the promotion of scientific initiatives aligned with the objectives and Work Packages of INCAR².