Meeting organized by the Aquaculture Innovation Club brought together about 500 people in the inaugural day and more than 350 attendees in the two days of exhibitions, consolidating itself as a space for innovation and networking for aquaculture.

With a positive balance, the Aquaculture Innovation Conference 2025 (InnAqua) closed its doors, an international conference on aquaculture innovation, whose third version was held between September 2 and 4, in Puerto Montt and Puerto Varas, Los Lagos region, Chile.  

The activity, organized by the Club Innovación Acuícola de Chile, began on Tuesday, September 2, with a massive inauguration – carried out at the Centro de Vinculación Ciudad Puerto de Empormontt, in Puerto Montt – in which numerous authorities, union representatives, as well as professionals, executives, entrepreneurs and academics linked to aquaculture, participated, totaling approximately 500 people.

The opening day featured exhibitions by Harrison Karisa, from the World Bank (United States); Eduardo Bitrán, from Adolfo Ibáñez University (Chile); Jeanne McKnight, from the Northwest Aquaculture Alliance and the Aquaculture Innovation Alliance - AIA (United States); and Daniela Allerbon, from Aquit, Argentina-Chile.

The Undersecretary of Fisheries and Aquaculture said that “the data confirm that aquaculture is a pillar of the Chilean economy and of regional development, with growth potential within the framework of the blue economy, which, globally, is estimated to have tripled over the next two decades.”

In this regard, he called for further progress and the adoption of technologies that allow for operations with a focus on sustainability and environmental responsibility. “Aquaculture is not just figures, it is innovation, employment and coastal communities that find in it an opportunity for the future,” he emphasized, valuing the holding of the meeting.

Since Wednesday, September 3, the activities were carried out at the Enjoy Hotel in Puerto Varas, where the conference continued – with the participation of some 350 people–, focused on topics such as: renewable energy and energy efficiency; reduction of carbon footprint and decarbonization; circular economy; and innovation and shared social value.

Along with this, the Expo InnAqua 2025, an area of stands where 25 exhibitors – between institutions, companies and startups– presented state-of-the-art solutions and new technologies for aquaculture, becoming a key meeting point – with a constant presence of visitors – to establish contacts and generate new business opportunities.

InnAqua 2025 ended on Thursday, September 4, with “La Noche del Salmón”, a great party held at the Bellavista Hotel in Puerto Varas, where everyone who was part of the conference could enjoy good music and the best of local cuisine.

Balance sheet of the organization

“We are very happy with the outcome of INNAQUA 2025. We had a great attendance, both in the opening and in the subsequent days and parallel activities, which evidenced the high interest to participate in this meeting that seeks to motivate innovation for an increasingly sustainable industry. We are also surprised by the level of conversation and networking that took place in the context of Expo INNAQUA, a space where attendees could learn about powerful innovations for the sector,” said the executive director of the Aquaculture Innovation Club and coordinator of INNAQUA, Adolfo Alvial.

For his part, the president of the Club Innovación Acuícola, Carlos Parra, said that, “the balance is certainly positive. This year we had a pleasant participation of national, regional and communal authorities. In addition, we had talks that were very interesting. I certainly believe that we have contributed a great deal to the industry. We had set out to improve on version 2023 and I believe that this goal is being achieved.” The executive, along with value also the exhibition of numerous innovative companies, highlighted that the Club is already thinking – given the consolidation of the event – in INNAQUA 2027.

Collaboration

InnAqua 2025 was sponsored by Plan Innova Puerto Montt of the Municipality of Puerto Montt, DATCO, Salmofood, AquaChile, Blumar, Cermaq Chile, Mowi Chile, Intestesal of SalmonChile, ABB, Aker QRILL Company, GXC Consultores, Imenco Aqua, ProChile, Saesa Innova, Esmax and Kaffir. The Salmon Council, Los Lagos Publicidad, Cachantún, Cocó Estudios, Sudmaris, Radio Bío Bío and Austral Comunicaciones participated as collaborators.

The media partner of this edition were AQUA, InfoSalmon, Mundo Acuícola, Partnerfish, Salmonexpert, Revista Puerto a Puerto, AquaHoy, Portal Prensa Eventos, Portal Innova, Radio El Conquistador, Patagonia Radio and Vértice TV.