"We deeply believe in public-private work and coordination to ensure local development. All of this framed in industrial processes respectful of the environment," was one of the points emphasized by the presidential delegate of the Los Lagos region during the AquaSur 2022 Dinner. While the chairman of the Salmon Council's board stated -among other things- that they have also been critical of those who have away from good practices, "because this behavior harms our joint image and prestige".

The international fair and congress AquaSur, after its successful 2022 edition, once again brought together the industry's representatives, seeking to reaffirm the important role of Chile in global salmon farming, reiterate the aquaculture sector's commitment and encourage its economic, social and labor growth.

The AquaSur Dinner 2022, which took place at the Enjoy Hotel in the city of Puerto Varas (Los Lagos region), counted with the participation of more than 400 leaders and leaderesses of aquaculture, demonstrating the high level of interest of the sector in driving and enhancing its development.

The meeting provided an ideal space for face-to-face relationships. Thus, bonds were strengthened between companies, guilds, suppliers and authorities, opening opportunities to generate new businesses and long-term links that enable more agile and reliable processes, along with encouraging joint growth.

Exactly as our President Gabriel Boric expressed during his visit to our region, as the Government we highlight the contribution of the aquaculture industry to the economic development and job creation in our territory. We deeply believe in public-private work and coordination to ensure local development. All of this framed in industrial processes respectful of the environment," emphasized the presidential delegate of Los Lagos, Giovanna Moreira.

Awards and speeches from industry representatives

At the meeting, they also presented the AquaSur 2022 Awardsonline award to highlight the exhibitors of the aquaculture industry who obtained the best results and most efficient behaviors during the year 2021, in areas of Research, Development and innovation (R&D+i), relationship with communities and training, as well as environmental care.

For us it is an inspiration and a reason to be proud to be able to award the effort, dedication and commitment of the aquaculture worldmanifested the general manager of Fisa, Francisco Sotomayor.

The award began with the Recognition of Pathway, which was given to the Association of the Salmon Industry of Chile A.G. (SalmonChile) for "prove perseverance, hard work and important actions that have led to distinctive development in the sector".

"In more than three decades, SalmonChile united more than 50 salmon producing and supplying companies, presenting together with its partners a strategy based on health, environmental, regulatory, social and economic challenges in the sector, putting to the center the sustainability, the people and the south-eastern territory", added the master of ceremony.

In his speech, the president of the guild, Arturo Clément, thanked those working in aquaculture and present authorities supporting the growth momentum of the industry. In turn, he highlighted the importance of public-private linkages: "From this rostrum, I call on all those present to work together with the authorities, and to give our utmost effort. Chile has all the characteristics to be a power. Let's not waste this opportunity. Today we can say that we are part of a strong salmoniccultor family with great challenges and with the task of continuing to grow".

Following the line of distinction of the AquaSouth Dinner, continued Recognition for Innovation in the aquaculture sector, a distinction that was made for the company Kran Nanobubble, for its concern and work in the recovery of the seabed.

This venture located in the municipality of Puerto Montt, also part of the Los Lagos region, developed high technology oriented to the recovery of contaminated environments, cleaning of products, treatment of waste water, among other techniques applied in different industries, such as aquaculture, by means of nanobubble technology.

For the third and final distinction, the Recognition in Sustainability and Social Linkageprize that was directed to the project Quellón vegetable mills (Chiloé province, Los Lagos region), enterprise-led initiative Austral Salmon and SalmonChile en partnership with Sodexo and the Agricultural Development Institute (Indap).

This project allowed the Kechawe Cooperative could sell vegetables produced by its grouping, supplying eaters and casinos of salmon processing plants in the area, formally becoming an industry supplier.

Regarding this, Fernando Villarroel, who is the general manager of Mowi Chile and president of the board of the Salmon Council, he said that as salmon growers they believe "firmly that the development of the activity is perfectly compatible with environmental protection and sustainability".

He added: "In these nearly 40 years of existence, the producers, the contracting companies and also the regulatory bodies have made mistakes and learned from them. Of course, there is still a long way to go and things to be done, but we have made considerable progress. We have also been critical of those who have moved away from good practice, because this action damages our image and prestige as a whole, Because we know that, to move forward as an industry, we have to take the road together.".

*Credits of the featured photo: Xiamara Santana.