The Chilean and Peruvian governments have signed an agreement that establishes a stronger cooperation between the two Pacific coast countries on issues relating to fisheries, aquaculture and by-product research and traceability, as well as the exchange of information on the health and safety of marine resources, food safety and innovation.
Signed in Chile by Jose Miguel Burgos, director of the country’s National Service of Fisheries and Aquaculture (SERNAPESCA), and Ernesto Bustamante, executive director of the National Sanitary Fisheries Agency (SANIPES) of Peru, the new agreement also includes technical cooperation for technological and scientific development and the participation of both countries in forums and international agenda with contributions that contribute to the design and evaluation of standards.
"For us, this is a very important agreement that will be focused on a first stage of information exchange, of being able to hold common positions in international forums. Both countries are very important fish producers and in that sense being able to join positions, being able to discuss and work together seems to be of utmost importance. Working with colleagues from Peru will allow us to know and contribute experiences,” said Burgos.
Bustamante said the agreement would address common problems through mutual learning, and that one of its most important aspects would be the exchange of inspectors.
With regard to aquaculture, Bustamante highlighted that shrimp and trout dominate Peru’s production, with the latter being a similar market to salmon – Chile’s main farmed product.
"Trout are very salmon-like animals and we will see continental salmon production centers [in Chile] to learn how they handle, how they control infections, the subject of roe and how this can be applied to what trout is.”
He added that in the future, the idea is to work together at international trade fairs so that Peru and Chile “can promote their products synergistically.”
