December 16, 2025

Noval Austral claims to be sole aquaculture company in Chile producing salmon with no antibiotics

In its recently published 2024 Sustainability Report, Chilean salmon-farming firm Nova Austral claims it has become the only aquaculture company in Chile producing salmon without the use of antibiotics.

The latest sustainability report is the fifth of its kind and aims to document the company's environmental and compliance evolution following its internal restructuring in 2019.

"Thanks to our team's performance, we continue to be the benchmark in producing salmon completely free of antibiotics, in addition to being one of the main engines of employment and local development, promoting our community engagement programs," Nova Austral chief executive officer Nicolás Larco said in a release.

The report highlighted the fact that the firm's antibiotic-free production was recognised by the Chilean Salmon Antibiotic Reduction Program Plus (CSARP+) program and validated by Chile's National Fisheries and Aquaculture Service (Sernapesca). It also showcased that in 2024, the company renewed international certifications such as Aquaculture Stewardship Council (ASC), Best Aquaculture Practices (BAP), BRCGS quality supply chain, Global Good Agricultural Practices (GAP), and IFS food safety credentials.

Additionally, Nova Austral began to measure its greenhouse gas emissions in 2024 in accordance with International Organization for Standardization (ISO) standards, and it said it had reduced its energy consumption by more than 29% compared to 2023.

Elsewhere, the firm conducted a study in 2024 to transition to natural gas from diesel for power generation at its fish farms and updated its Crime Prevention Model to comply with new regulatory requirements. The report also highlighted advances in occupational health and safety, with no fatal accidents during the year.

With Southern Chile being a central part of its identity, Nova Austral said its work in sustainability is essential to protecting the area in which it operates.

"Despite the difficulties, our bond with [the hometown of] Porvenir and the Magallanes region has remained firm," Larco said. "We continue to be one of the main drivers of employment and local development, and we continue to promote our community outreach programmes because we understand that our success is intrinsically linked to the well-being of our people and our environment."

- SeafoodSource