Ventisqueros plans $3m freshwater investment
The Chilean producer plans to use the funds to expand and update two freshwater sites near Puerto Varas, on opposite banks of the river Reloncaví.
Both facilities are currently operating, and the salmon farming company expects to expand them and thereby increase its production capacity, investing about US$ 1.5 million in each.
As reported by Ventisqueros, work at the first site - which is dedicated to breeding - will enlarge the production area from 1,224 m2 to 1,796 m2 , adding nine circular ponds of 9 m diameter, for a total built area of 2053.34 m2.
This site will retain its flow-through system and the increase will allow it to produce 23.5 million eggs per year.
“This productive project has the advantage of including the latest materials and technologies which will help to improve its environmental safety and operating conditions,” the company explained, adding that work is expected to start on December 30th.
Meanwhile, work at the second facility, which produces smolt and fingerlings, will involve improving the current production infrastructure, increasing the surface area of the ponds from 1,246 m2 to 1,855 m2, replacing ten raceways ponds 12 m long and 3 m wide, and including new circular ponds that will increase the volume available from 1,456 m3 to 2,312 m3.
This facility will also maintain its flow-through system, and projects a maximum annual production of 300 tonnes of smolt per year as well as about 16 million 20g fingerlings.
In the latter case, the company expects that the execution of the works will start in early 2017.
