Targeting 12 million smolts a year

The producer recently presented an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) to the Environmental Assessment Service, in order to obtain approval for the construction of the hatchery, in the Estancia de Los Colorines, about 40 km north of the town of Porvenir. The application was made on November 18 and the final decision is due to be made by February 13, 2017.

Currently the firm does not have its own hatcheries, instead using juveniles provided by third parties in the regions of La Araucanìa and Los Ríos.

Nicos Nicolaides, general manager of Nova Austral, commented to Salmonexpert that the decision to have its own hatchery is based on the idea that it is strategic to have this important stage of integrated cultivation.

"Many years ago, the company bought land with water rights in Tierra del Fuego, thinking that someday this could be done," he said.

The project will be based recirculation technology, explained Nicolaides: "As it maintains a very well controlled environment for fry and has a minimum level of waste emissions. In addition, among other benefits, it uses very little fresh water, which is a scarce resource. In this case, it includes the latest advances in monitoring and control, as well as feeding techniques and vaccination of fish.”

The new site would not only have the capacity to meet all the requirements of Nova Austral, but could also eventually supply other producers in the region.