Voting will be open until noon on Wednesday, 27 November.

As is already traditional, B2B Media Group invites the whole salmoniccult community to be part of the process of selecting the projects that will be recognized in the categories of Innovation and Development and Community Commitment. After a rigorous process evaluation, the jurors have selected three finalists in each category, and since Saturday, November 23, the web platform is open so that the public can vote for their favorites in both areas.

The award ceremony, which will take place next Wednesday 27 November in the city of Puerto Varas, the region of Los Lagos, aims to distinguish and highlight the projects of the companies of the field that have worked hand in hand with the communities in which they operate, as well as those innovative initiatives that are contributing to the construction of industry of the future.

Voting is now open. Everyone is welcome to vote for their favourite project on the following website » https://www.premiosostenibilidadsalmon.cl/

Innovation and Development

The recognition of Innovation and Development is particularly relevant in a context where the salmon industry faces constant challenges, such as sustainability and adaptation to new technologies. To reward innovative projects not only boosts progress in terms of efficiency and competitiveness, but also contributes to the improvement of environmental practices and the social responsibility of the sector.

In the category of Innovation and Development the finalists are the ship "ACC Queen Stophany", new vessel of ACC Maritime Services that lends operations to salmon farming.

It was designed and built in Puerto Montt, Los Lagos region, in the company's mastery. The design of this boat is single and are in the process of patenting this innovation. It is a transformation of a anchoring vessel, type mono hull under the regulation of ancient arching and with possibility of increasing its volumes and remaining smaller ship (to double its capacity), it was possible to design a moon pool (hole for anchoring of dead weights) 7 meters (m) long by 3 meters wide. At the same time, the design contemplates two towers One of these with a high winche (2 m above the deck) to get the dead weights introduced from the water and to be taken to the main deck, where depending on the anchoring line they could be united on the surface and then be installed in the bottom, avoiding diving maneuvers.

The second finalist is Antarctic Salmon with the relevant "Programa Tecnológico para la Producción Local de Insumos Nutricionals para la Aquacultura" (PTEC-INVA)" promoted by the Production Development Corporation (Corfo), which integrates agriculture with aquaculture in a model that enhances the productivity and the employment.

This synergy translates into the development of key infrastructure, such as advanced logistics, specialized means of transport, storage facilities and processing plants, generating a robust ecosystem Research, Development and Innovation (R & D & I).

Read more » Campex Day: Synergy between agriculture and aquaculture mark the event

The third finalist is Retina Lab and its project to monitor harmful algae with artificial intelligence (AI). It is about monitoring and alerting about the occurrence of harmful algae blooms (NAF) thanks to a system that integrates monitoring and the use of AI algorithm which allows timely warning of the occurrence of an NAF and more quickly identifies the type of algae involved. This monitoring program allows quickly identify the type of algae associated with bloom. It allows savings of between three to four hours with the fish on the boats, reducing the carbon footprint of those movements and ensuring compliance with the regulations.

Increased geographic coverage of monitoring delivery more information in surrounding areas, not only at the point where the center is located, seaweed-free routes and minimize the effects on the movement of smolts from the presence of harmful algae on the route to sowing.

Community commitment

Moreover, the Community commitment is a category of increasing importance, as it highlights the efforts of those companies that not only seek to generate economic value, but also to generate positive impact in local communities. Recognising the joint work between salmoniccultor companies and the communities in which they are inserted, is fundamental to strengthening the social link and improve the quality of life the people who depend on this sector.

The finalists in this category are Austral Salmon with the project entitled "Cultivating the future of the Chaicas algueras", which carries out a work with local families, which aims at the sustainable cultivation of flight under a model of social regeneration, with great economic and environmental impact on the community. This is an unprecedented initiative, based on a prototype of a circular economy for the cultivation and marketing of endemic algae, by women, in this territory of the Los Lagos region. Salmon Austral makes available to the neighbours a aquaculture concession In rest to be cultivated by women and heads of household, who acquire knowledge and technology in the field of algae cultivation. In turn, the work of the neighbors will be Remuneratedas cultivated algae will be marketed with domestic and international buyers.

Salmons Austral and Huiro Regenerative will work together with the beneficiaries, who manage and coordinate the initial investment for crop development.

The second project selected by the jury is from Mowi and this is the project called "Salmon tourism", an initiative that aims to make known the main productive activity of different salmonicultor areas, to the inhabitants and visitors of the southern town. The tours seek to make known the full production cycle of salmon, taking advantage that the company has it completely integrated within the region of Aysén. The visit begins in the fish farming of Recirculation Fjord Aysén and ends in the secondary plant of Chacabuco. The project also provides for: collaborative work of the company with a local tourist operator and members of the community. Visitors are opinion leaders, such as journalists, authorities, leaders, people from the food industry, among others.

Finally, the third selected is the project of Camanchaca Salmon "Women in Action - Women's Strengthening in Guaitecas". This is a programme of social intervention with a gender focus, aimed at women in the commune of Guaitecas, Aysén region, whose objective is to empower women through training, mentoring and support networks, to promote the development of entrepreneurial skills and leadership. This program is led by Constance Vásquez, a leading businesswoman and president of the Association of Entrepreneurs of Chile (ASECh). The initiative, implemented in partnership with Servicio País and the Municipality of Guaitecas, is unprecedented in the region and emerged together with the community. On their launch day, they attended 60 women and graduation will be in early December 2024.

In addition, in the event will be presented the prizes of Business Career and Women in salmon farming, recognizing two personalities of vast experience in industry, whose work has been key to the development and growth of the sector. These awards highlight the importance of recognising not only innovation and social impact, but also individual contributions of those who over the years have been agents of change and leadership within the industry.

Explore the projects and cast your vote using the following link »  https://premiosostenibilidadsalmon.cl/

The voting portal will be open until noon on Wednesday, 27 November.

*Source of the featured photo: PTEC-INVA (credits: INIA Chile).