The salmon industry in southern Chile’s Magallanes Region will invest more than USD 286 million (EUR 264 million) in farming and processing projects over the next two years, the Magallanes Salmon and Trout Producers Association A.G. (APSTM) announced in a statement.
The projects – currently being materialized and in the environmental approval process – will create more than 1,000 new jobs in the region, adding to the 5,000 already generated by the sector. Magallanes has a population of some 165,000 residents, according to the latest census in 2017, and is Chile’s southernmost region.
“We are aware that we are one of the few remaining sources of employment in Magallanes, and despite the COVID-19 crisis, we expect to maintain our strong investment plan that will contribute to generating even more work and give the region a boost in the next two years," APSTM President Carlos Odebret said.
The coronavirus outbreak has created significant impacts on the region’s health system, logistics, and work systems; as well as a “stagnation” of various economic sectors, including mining, commerce, and tourism. Countrywide, the salmon sector has implemented a set of policies aiming to maintain operations while keeping workers safe.
Odebret highlighted the focus of member firms on safeguarding employees’ health and implementing safety protocols, including testing out-of-region workers and ensuring they are coronavirus-free before traveling to Magallanes. Once in the region, social distancing is required, and workers are being transported directly to the salmon farming centers.
APSTM was created in 1995 to represent salmon and trout farming activity in the Magallanes Region, focusing on economic, social, cultural, and labor issues to integrate with the community. Its members include Multiexport Foods, BluRiver, Salmones Magallanes, Cermaq, Australis, and Cabo Pilar. Odebret has led the organization since October 2019, following a 10-year stint at SalmonChile, where he rose to general manager.
In 2010, Chile’s government included the salmon industry as a pillar of economic development for Magallanes as a part of the region’s strategic plan.
Photo courtesy of Guaxinim/Shutterstock
