Ambassador of Norway and representatives of industry, academia and ProChile addressed shared challenges, innovation and new markets to strengthen the international projection of Chilean aquaculture.
At the Royal Embassy of Norway in Santiago, the conversation ‘Chile and Norway towards a global aquaculture industry of the future’ was held, organized together with ProChile, which brought together representatives of public, private and academic institutions to reflect on the challenges and opportunities of the blue economy, strengthen bilateral cooperation and project Chilean participation in Aqua Nor 2025, the fair of aquaculture technology more important in the northern hemisphere.
During the day aquaculture was highlighted as an efficient and low-carbon activity, which also offers key solutions to respond to the growing demand for sustainable proteins and food security challenges.
“This type of meeting is an excellent basis for looking to the future and strengthening the innovation and sustainability of the sector, facilitating a space for dialogue for the different actors and deepening the strong trade relations between Chile and Norway. We have more than fifty companies linked to the aquaculture sector with constant exchange of learning between the two countries,” emphasized Per Anders Nilsen, Ambassador of Norway Chile.
In this sense, Ricardo Arriagada, regional director of ProChile Los Lagos, highlighted that Chile is the second world exporter of salmon and that the Los Lagos Region occupies a key place in this leadership, also projecting itself as a robust center of technological solutions and services for the industry, especially aimed at leading markets in salmon production.
“As ProChile we are committed to supporting not only producers, but also suppliers of technological solutions and services for the aquaculture industry, promoting its internationalization. The Los Lagos Region, as the main productive center of national salmon farming, concentrating about 80% of the country's aquaculture production, has a key role in this leadership. Conversations like this, with Norway as a partner strategic, they are fundamental to open roads and generate new opportunities, especially in the face of future challenges such as the upcoming international fairs,” Arriagada stressed.
From the industry, Álvaro Pérez Nur, Manager of Sustainability and Public Affairs of Mowi Chile, a company of Norwegian origin, highlighted in his presentation the constant innovation and specialization of the sector. “Our Smart Farming 4.0 model in Chile has shown that the digital transformation of the industry can generate shared value. Adding new technologies creates more skilled jobs, promotes specialization in areas such as biotechnology, data engineering or marine robotics, and opens opportunities for local suppliers linked to innovation.”
During the day two panels of conversation were held. The first, “International Perspectives in a Global Aquaculture Industry”, was attended by José Aguilar (FAO) and Rodrigo Pinto (Council of the Salmon), who analyzed the potential of the blue economy. The second panel, entitled “Progressing towards a more sustainable aquaculture industry”, brought together Dr. Doris Soto (INCAR), Fernando Hentzschel (Corfo) and Alvaro Pérez Nur (Mowi Chile). Both spaces were moderated by Marcela González, National Sectoral Coordinator of ProChile.
The meeting culminated with a reflection by Rocío Ortiz (Centro de Innovación UC), who called for cross-sectoral inspiration to meet the challenges of the industry. In addition, there was a networking space to continue building bridges between Chile and Norway for Aqua Nor 2025, which will take place between 19 and 21 August in Trondheim, Norway.
