October 25, 2010

Peruvian investors eye Chilean aquaculture

The head of the Subsecretariat of Fisheries (Subpesca) of Chile, Pablo Galilea, announced that numerous large Peruvian companies are interested in investing in Chilean aquaculture.

Galilea recalled that the 60% of the total amount of seafood exported from Chile in 2009 was from the aquaculture industry, with the remaining 40% coming from wild fisheries.

The secretary said they intend to create conditions in which Peruvian investors can develop aquaculture in northern Chile. "In addition, all the required facilities have already been established in the area, but they must always take care of the environment," he continued.

Meanwhile, the Peruvian firm, Tecnológica de Alimentos (TASA), is evaluating the possibility of acquiring a salmon plant in the Chilean territory. This company is the largest fishmeal producer in the world. It has 16 processing plants in Peru and a fleet of 86 boats.

Also, Galilea believes that the bilateral fishing relations have been strengthened and there is willingness for both parties to take measures for the conservation of marine species as a whole.