SalmonChile claims to double production by 2015
Last week SalmonChile hosted its annual banquet for associate members and guests, and this year the event totaled a record-breaking 600 persons. Unfortunately all of the participants, including many political figures who flew in from Santiago to attend, had to walk past a line-up of loud protesters near the hotel entrance chanting blasphemies against the Association. President of the Association César Barros gave an insightful speech regarding the projection of growth on behalf of the salmon producers, and what must be done on a public and private level. On a private level, Barros insisted that the salmon industry as a whole must: work towards a growth that is sustainable in the long term; work in harmony with other productive sectors such as tourism, mussel farming, agriculture and local fishing communities; and make a contributive commitment to local communities so that all benefit from the industry’s progress. On a public level he insisted that the national, regional and local governments must: improve the maritime connectivity between Regions X and XI; promote the population of the Region XI by providing the updated and acceptable public services required for growth; and separate the aquaculture sector from the fisheries sector create an Undersecretary of Aquaculture.
