fis.com, February 18, 2011
The companies Acuinova and Acuimag, plan to invest over USD 27 million in the regions of Aysen and Magallanes, in order to launch a series of projects to enable them to increase their production.
This expansion plan in the southern part of the country develops as the salmon industry recovers from the crisis experienced since 2007, following the spread of the infectious salmon anemia (ISA) virus. Acuimag projects submitted to the Service of Environmental Assessment (SEA) have been halted as they await the conclusion of zoning in the coastal border of Magallanes.
The firm also announced that the authorities intend to increase biomass production in the farming center of Bahia Ladrillero, in the commune of Natales.
Acuimag expects to spend around USD 3.5 million to increase its capacity from 180 to 4,500 tonnes. Also, businessmen from the company await the ruling of SEA with regards to the project, - which will also be funded with USD 3.5 million - for the purpose of enlarging biomass and modifying their facilities and operations in the Bahia Perales area, as a fattening centre.
"For that, modification to railway facilities for transporting seawater fattening cages must be carried out, which will have a capacity of 4,000 tonnes," the company said.
Acuimag plans to reach a maximum capacity of 40,000 tonnes of production within five years. For now, it produces between 5,000 and 10,000 tonnes in its six operating farms located in southern Chile.
Similarly, Acuinova has submitted four projects to SEA since late December 2010 to date. One of them is the establishment of inland production of smolts.
This initiative is valued at USD 12 million for it to begin to operate, Acuinova requires around 8 million coho salmon fry and 11 million young trout.
The main goal is to get around 12 million smolts a year.
The firm also plans to expand its production capacity from 3,887 to 14,244 tonnes in three farms located in Aysen, for which they plan to invest USD 2.6 million in each.
Source: fis.com
