Aquaculture is designated by Chilean authorities as one of eight focus areas for economic development. The Chileans are extremely well advanced in several aspects of aquaculture: they utilise water resources with a high degree of recirculation, they are innovative when it comes to feed formulation, and they have a relatively high degree of processing of raw materials for export.
In addition, there are long-term efforts in Chile regarding new species.
However, Chile faces challenges in several areas in order to achieve profitable and sustainable production of salmon:
- Optimising of production conditions
- Fish health and disease control
- Fish farms are moved southwards down the coast to uninhabited areas, which requires a re-think concerning logistics
Nofima established company in Chile
Nofima has had continuous R & D activity in the areas of breeding, feed and nutrition for Chilean companies since 1997, in addition to activity within quality and production optimisation.
In 2006, Nofima (then Akvaforsk) established an office in Puerto Varas in Chile in collaboration with SINTEF Fisheries and Aquaculture and VESO. In 2007, the same entities formed a research company under the name of AVS Chile SA. The goal is to develop knowledge for a profitable, healthy and sustainable aquaculture industry in Chile.
Norwegian and Chilean authorities both look favourably upon the establishment of the company and the collaboration it generates between the two countries. The establishment of the company was supported by Corfo (Chile) and Innovation Norway. A study prior to the establishment showed there was a strong desire from the Chilean aquaculture industry for Nofima to establish itself in Chile.
Nofima established itself in Chile for the following reasons:
- To become a stronger international research participant and contribute to advancing international aquaculture
- Chile is an interesting market for Nofima
- To better utilise existing knowledge
- To find Chilean solutions for Chilean problems
- To strengthen the collaboration between Norway and Chile, where several Norwegian aquaculture companies have also been established
AVS Chile will use the knowledge developed by Nofima, recruit leading scientists and train young talents.
Nofima continually has experienced scientists based in Chile (See who is there now under "Person").
