The countdown for the XI National Aquaculture Congress “Leading Blue Transformation from Local to Global” It's already started. With the defined scientific programming and organizational preparations in its final stage, Puerto Montt is ready to welcome representatives from different fields related to national and international aquaculture, at one of the main scientific and technical meetings of this activity in Chile.

Organized by the University of Chile, through the Faculty of Veterinary and Peculiar Sciences (Favet) and the Faculty of Agronomic Sciences (FCA), together with the Chilean Aquaculture Society (SCHACUI), the meeting will take place between Monday, November 30 and Wednesday, December 2, at the Diego Rivera Municipal Theatre in Puerto Montt.

One of the indicators of interest that this call has aroused is the reception of more than 200 research works, postulated to participate through oral presentations or posters. This figure gives an account of the diversity of research being carried out in the sector and the relevance of having spaces to share results, discuss advances and link scientific knowledge with the challenges of the activity. productive.

Dr. Jurij Wacyk, academic of the Faculty of Agronomic Sciences of the University of Chile and president of the organizing committee, highlights the work developed to finalize this new version of the congress.

“We are very satisfied with the response of the aquaculture community, reflected in the more than 200 jobs received. This demonstrates the interest in sharing knowledge, presenting new research and creating spaces for collaboration between academia, industry and public institutions. We have worked to offer a diverse programme to address the current challenges of aquaculture and to project new opportunities for aquaculture. development,” says the academic, specialist in aquaculture nutrition.

For his part, Antonio Vélez, president of Schacui, says that “the idea of this itinerant congress is the spread of aquaculture activity throughout the country, highlighting the need to develop aquaculture as a solution to the demand for aquatic food. On Monday, 30 November, World Aquaculture Day is also celebrated, to which we are part with an activity specially prepared for the occasion and, as It is our mission to choose the institution that will co-organise with our society the next congress, we will reveal all the details on December 2 at the close of the event. We invite you to be part of this congress, which we do not doubt will be a success, to continue consolidating and diversifying the future of our sector.”

Health, genetics and innovation among the main themes

The programme covers nine thematic areas: nutrition and food; animal health and welfare; genetics and biotechnology; digital technology and innovation; sustainability and diversification; reproduction and larvocculture; safety and added value; governance, extension and community linkages; and small-scale aquaculture and repopulation.

Among the contents of particular interest to the salmon industry are research on Piscirickettsia salmonis, Caligus rogercresseyi, ISA virus, microbiomes, antimicrobial resistance and new strategies for healthcare management. Studies on immune response, vaccines, functional nutrition and tools to improve the well-being of farmed fish will also be presented.

Genetics and biotechnology will have a relevant space, with research on genomics, genetic selection, disease resistance and the development of tools to optimize productive characteristics. In addition, work is being done on aquaculture diversification, cultivation of macroalgae and molluscs, multitrophic aquaculture and adaptation to climate change scenarios.

Another focus will be the incorporation of digital technologies and monitoring systems. In this area, early warning initiatives will be presented for harmful algal blooms, modelling, satellite remote sensing, artificial intelligence applied to the discovery of antibacterials and tools for monitoring environmental parameters in aquaculture recirculation systems.

A program that connects science and industry

The official inauguration will take place at 18:30 at the Centro de Vinculación Ciudad Puerto de Empormontt and will include the conversation “Leading Blue Transformation, from the Local to the Global: Science, Future and Development of Aquaculture in Chile”, with the participation of university, regional and scientific and public authorities.

During the following days, master conferences will be held with specialists such as Roberto Neira, Daniel Montero, Alejandro Buschmann, Berta Contreras and Paulina Schmitt, among others, who will address issues related to genetics, nutrition, sustainability, animal welfare and aquaculture development.

The programme also considers short presentations sessions or pitch, specialized symposia and parallel activities in the Sala Mafalda Mora, expanding opportunities for exchange between researchers, companies and organizations linked to the sector. On Wednesday, December 2, the closing and award ceremony will be held, which includes the recognition of the best poster and the announcement of the headquarters of the next version of the Congress.

The organization invites registered persons to consider the following data for arrival in Puerto Montt:

  • Advance accreditation: Sunday, November 29, between 16:00 and 19:00
  • Dates of Congress: Monday 30 November to Wednesday 2 December 2026.
  • Place: Teatro Diego Rivera, Quillota 116, Puerto Montt, Los Lagos Region.
  • They organize: University of Chile, through Favet and FCA, and Chilean Aquaculture Society.

More information about the program and the meeting www.congresoacuculture2026.cl.