Five of Chile’s salmon producers who together account for more than half of national salmon production reiterated the need to promote initiatives that will make salmon farming more sustainable ecologically and socially.
The call to action comes in the wake of recent media reports of Chilean President Gabriel Boric’s intention to limit the growth of the farmed salmon industry in the country’s protected areas.
Known collectively as the Salmon Council (Consejo del Salmón), the five companies – AquaChile, Australis, Cermaq, Mowi and Salmones Aysén – banded together in 2019 to rally the industry to contribute to sustainability and to the wellbeing of the localities where Chilean salmon farming is present.
“We appreciate that the Salmon Council has come to present us with its work agenda and there is an interest in advancing in collaborative work that allows for the implementation of President Boric’s government program, which contemplates a fair ecological transition, preserving a economic growth with a focus on sustainability,” Regional Minister Secretary for Economy, Rosa Machacán, told participants at a recent meeting betweenthe council, regional authorities and community representatives.
The salmon producers gave an update on their program aimed at providing startups with the fundamental tools and knowledge so they can manage and grow their businesses. The program, called Sur Emprende, is currently in the selection stage of the applicant projects.
In terms of environment-focused initiatives, the council’s “Together, Let’s Clean Our Coasts” is being expanded to cover a wider geographical area. During the months of January and March 2022, a total of 373 cleaning activities that resulted to 37.6 tons of waste collected was made in the Aysén region.
“Private companies play an important role in the region and the province and we cannot deny the contribution. For us, it is essential to promote its development always with sustainability and care for the environment,” said a provincial government executive.
