In March 2024, the was launched the Project Yelcho, initiative through which salmon producing companies, together with the Salmon Council, Intesal de SalmonChile and the support of Aquabench, are working on an alliance to advance the implementation of new solutions, in order to prevent bacterial diseases and reduce the use of antibiotics in the industry. In collaboration with the Agricultural and Livestock Service (SAG) and the National Service of Fisheries and Aquaculture (Sernapesca)They have advanced through various activities in the strategic pillars defined within the framework of this alliance.

It was like this on 2 and 3 May, industry leaders and the public sector, part of Yelcho, met in Puerto Montt to discuss innovative solutions in salmon farming, focused on preventing diseases and reducing the use of antibiotics. The meeting included visits to research and development facilities, highlighting the commitment to sustainability in the sector.

The tour included visits to prominent sector facilities, such as Aquachile's Río Maullín fish farming, the ATC Aquachile Experimental Center, the Cargill Experimental Center and MOWI offices. 

Among the attendees were Pablo Barahona and Marcela Lara from the Salmon Council, Daniel Woywood and Eduardo de la Fuente from Aquabench, Elizabeth Ojeda, Carolina Marambio and Marjorie Stefanini from SAG, Ivonne Haro, Claudia Gálvez and Osvaldo Sandoval from Sernapesca, Esteban Ramírez and Alexander Jaramillo from Intesal of SalmonChile, David Farcas from Yelcho, Jorge Mancilla from MOWI, Alejandro Heisinger from AquaChile and Dr. Alexis Kalergis Professor UC Headline, Avonni National Innovation Award, and member of the Yelcho Scientific Committee. 

The initiative was led by Yelcho in its goal to strengthen the links between the salmon farming industry and the public sector. In the event, various leaders and authorities witnessed the food production process, a fish vaccination operation, two research and experimental development centers, as well as viewed advances in the aquaculture industry processes.

The strategic pillars of Yelcho

Since its launch, in March 2024, Yelcho, SAG and Sernapesca have worked to define a document agreed upon, which establishes the following 6 strategic pillars:

  1. Participation of a public private association in the context of the World Organisation for Animal Health (OMSA) and the National Antimicrobial Resistance Plan (RAM) in the salmon production process.
  2. Significant reduction in the use of drugs, in particular antibiotics.
  3. Regulatory review and new immunological technologies available.
  4. Evaluate the use of boosters or products/strategies for prolonging immunity.
  5. Facilitate access and development of technical information that allows progress to be made more quickly to obtain new vaccines and/or immunological products.  
  6. Generate instances of continuous technical collaboration between the authority and the private sector. Specific working tables will be created to address the different topics.