$14 million RAS facility planned
Invermar intends to spend $14.1 million on a new RAS facility, should it manage to raise a $85 million capital increase.
As the company reported to the Environmental Assessment Service, the new smolt farm, Aucha, will have a maximum output of 660 tonnes of smolts per year, with an average weight of between 100 and 120 g per fish. To achieve this, Invermar aims to build two hatchery rooms, one for first feeding, a nursery and a smolt room.
“The project considers the necessary infrastructure for the production of smolts from eyed eggs using recirculation systems and treatment systems for inflows and outflows, ensuring a good sanitary fish condition,” said the company.
If operating at capacity the facility will require 4,428 m3 of water a day. Depending on the production program, this could be either fresh- or seawater.
The farm will be near Calbuco in the region of Los Lagos, close to the company's ongrowing sites, thus reducing transfer times of fish, which would lead to improved sanitary status of fish and greater operating profit for the company.
The project would employ 77 workers during the construction phase and 56 people during operation and the construction phase is due to start on January 2nd, 2018, and completed by February 1st the following year.
