Puerto Montt, Chile-based salmon-farming firm Ventisqueros has achieved a feat it claims is a first in the Southern Hemisphere: developing a fish-farming center that operates 100 percent on certified renewable energy.
The center, located on the island of Chiloé in the south of Chile, “is the result of years of work, collaboration, and conviction – an achievement that demonstrates how innovation can transform the industry and commitment to the environment,” the company said.
Ventisqueros added on LinkedIn that the achievement represents “a path of innovation that, although challenging, opens new doors for the future.”
This move follows another sustainability milestone achieved in 2024, when Ventisqueros, owned by the German holding company Schörghuber, got all of its harvested biomass certified under the Aquaculture Stewardship Council (ASC). That accomplishment was a first in Chile, and the second time it had been achieved worldwide, it said, guaranteeing compliance with high standards in environmental, social, productive, health, and governance criteria.
“In a highly competitive market, Ventisqueros seeks to consolidate as a leader in sustainability within the salmon industry, aligning itself with the expectations of customers and global stakeholders,” Ventisqueros Deputy Manager of Certifications and Integral Management System Carlos García said. “In this context, ASC certification is a strategic asset that supports sustainable growth, strengthens global competitiveness, and reaffirms the company’s commitment to responsible aquaculture with high added value.”
Other sustainability and personnel advances Ventisqueros made in 2024 include a 0.5 percent accident rate, which it called “a historic record;” the participation of over 100 volunteers to clean up 13 beaches, collecting some 27,000 metric tons (MT) of waste, of which 17,500 MT was recycled; and having invested about USD 132,000 (EUR 122,000) from 2021 to 2024 in its Ventisqueros Academy for employees to access undergraduate and graduate programs.
In 2023, the Schörghuber Group tested the waters in offering Ventisqueros for sale. However, it decided to pull the salmon farmer off the market following first-round talks led by Dutch bank Rabobank, with interested bidders reportedly including investment funds, Chinese investors, fellow salmon farmers in Chile, and São Paulo, Brazil-based JBS – the world's largest meat processor.
