Christian Molinari

Empresas Agrosuper, the parent company of Chile’s largest salmon-farming firm AquaChile, has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to purchase 100 percent of the salmon-farming interests of industrial fishing and aquaculture firm Blumar. The MoU, which establishes the terms and conditions for Agrosuper to purchase Blumar’s salmon-farming assets, was approved by an extraordinary board meeting held 24 August, Blumar reported to Chile’s… Read More

Chilean salmon-farming firm Blumar has submitted an environmental impact statement (EIS) to Chile’s Environmental Assessment Service (SEA), proposing a USD 20 million (EUR 17.8 million) modernization project on its Puyehue fish farm located in the Los Lagos region. The project would facilitate a higher production of smolts, the company announced in a release without providing specific numbers. The project comprises the construction of… Read More

Chile’s government has declared a preventive emergency in 15 regions of the country in a proactive response to the threat of harmful algal blooms and their possible consequences on people's health, the environment, and economic activities such as aquaculture and fishing operations. The measure will come into force on 1 November and last until 30 June 2027. "The objective of this measure is to strengthen the state's prevention and response… Read More

Companies across the global aquaculture industry are adapting to changes in fishmeal and fish oil supply and adjusting their feed mixes accordingly. At the same time companies are making these changes, the sector does not have the comprehensive environmental data it needs to accurately measure sustainability and avoid any unintended consequences associated with making ingredient substitutions, according to Cargill Animal Nutrition and Health… Read More

Joyvio, the controlling shareholder of Chilean salmon-farming firm Australis Seafoods, has confirmed it will continue pursuing criminal proceedings against businessman and former Australis Owner Isidoro Quiroga, as well as former executives of the company, after Santiago’s Fourth Guarantee Court rejected a request to reopen the firm’s investigation against Quiroga. The drawn-out legal battle has been ongoing for years, beginning in 2023 when… Read More

Illegal trade of totoaba – a highly endangered fish endemic to the Gulf of California in Mexico – is intertwined with human smuggling and money laundering, with trafficking networks operating across Mexico, the United States, and China, according to an investigation conducted by Earth League International (ELI), an investigative NGO focusing on environmental crime. ELI Founder and Executive Director Andrea Crosta said that as part of that… Read More

Høvik, Norway-based independent risk assurance and management firm DNV announced it has reached an agreement to purchase a majority stake in Chilean aquaculture consultancy firm Aquabench. According to DNV, the acquisition will enable Aquabench to streamline the development of innovative services in areas including biosecurity, environmental analytics, sustainability, and fish health, incorporating knowledge sharing and the development of… Read More

Even before Chile President José Antonio Kast took office in March, he has been outspoken in his intentions to cut down on government bureaucracy, free up investments, and drive business.  Shortly after donning the presidential sash, Kast began following through on those promises by reversing course on several actions and strategies taken by his predecessor, Gabriel Boric, regarding environmental controls, the fishing sector, and the… Read More

Peru’s government is considering direct cash assistance for families affected by El Niño, as the climate phenomenon disrupts economic activity, threatens employment in the fishing industry, and raises concerns about the country’s economic outlook for 2027. Peru Economy and Finance Minister Elmer Cuba said the government is preparing measures to directly support households, as well as provide financial relief for productive sectors affected… Read More

The Sustainable Shrimp Partnership (SSP), Ecuador’s National Aquaculture Chamber (CNA), and Gastronomy Open Ecosystem (GOe) have signed an agreement to advance research, innovation, and training on Ecuadorian shrimp’s use in culinary preparations. GOe – the Basque Culinary Center’s gastronomic innovation hub – will host the project at its GOe Tech Center. The goal is to analyze and assess the attributes of Ecuadorian shrimp and the… Read More