Chile establishes Salmon Workers' Day: 'We will be the world's largest producer'

Chilean president José Antonio Kast has announced that the country “will one day be the world’s largest salmon producer” as his government moves forward with regulations “to unblock the industry”, reports Fish Farming Expert's Chilean sister site, Salmonexpert.cl.

Kast was speaking at a ceremony at the president’s official residence, La Moneda Palace in Santiago, which was held to mark the establishment of May 26 as Salmon Workers’ Day in recognition of the sector's thousands of workers.

The event was attended by central and regional authorities, trade associations, and union leaders.

In a break with protocol, Kast called on the leader of the Multisindical of Salmon Farming Workers, Alejandro Santibáñez, to speak. Santibáñez recalled that on May 26, 2023, more than 10,000 people marched against the Biodiversity and Protected Areas Service bill, which seriously affected their jobs and businesses.

A better future for the south

Kast then affirmed that the workers have given value to salmon farming, and “that is why there are regions in the south that, thanks to aquaculture, have a better future, just like mining does for the north”.

He continued: “That sea that calmly bathes you promises a splendid future: that future can be fish for Chile. We will one day be the world’s largest salmon producer; we have the conditions, and the human capital that overcomes the cold, overcomes the wind, to fulfill its task.”

Kast also recalled that the salmon farming sector has faced many obstacles to achieving the expected level of growth, which is why his government was processing regulations in Congress to unblock the industry.

“It is important that the voice of the workers is present in the process since this development does not conflict with the environment or the communities,” said the president.

Arduous work

Labour minister Tomás Rau said: “We know the arduous work of the salmon industry workers, and we recognise the efforts of Congressman Mauro González to make Salmon Workers’ Day happen, and of course, President José Antonio Kast. With this, Chile is doing something simple, yet profound, for a significant but often unrecognised job.”

The Undersecretary of Fisheries and Aquaculture, Osvaldo Urrutia, said: “Let us remember that behind every statistic there are human faces: many towns in southern Chile found an opportunity for progress in this tremendous industry. Economic growth only makes sense if it improves people’s lives, and that has been the case with this strategic sector.”

A debt of recognition

Economy and mining minister Daniel Mas said the government was “settling a debt of recognition” to salmon workers. He added: “Our goal of being global leaders only makes sense if families benefit from this industrial success of salmon farming on a global scale.”

Chile’s salmon farming industry generates more than 70,000 direct and indirect jobs in the southern regions of the country, and aims to double its production in the coming years.

Last year Chile produced more than 800,000 tonnes (whole fish equivalent) of Atlantic salmon, more than 279,000 tonnes of coho salmon, and more than 50,000 tonnes of trout.