This project aims to contribute to regional sustainable development by providing information that will analyse and disseminate the behaviour of the local aquaculture industry, as well as their socioeconomic impact assessment and ecological impact, compliance and sustainability.
The presentation of the initiative took place in late September in Coyhaique and was attended by Regional Directors of CORFO, Waldo Barraza, the Regional Production Development Agency, Luis Cortes, Executive Secretary of the National Aquaculture Cluster Felipe Sandioval, and representatives of the Regional Government of Aysen.
The Executive Secretary of the National Aquaculture Cluster, Felipe Sandoval, stressed the importance of this observatory by noting that "in order to make appropriate management decisions, is vital to have oceanographic information, environment and health."
Comprehensive Zonal Study
As for the expected impact has this new initiative, the Executive Director of CIEP, Dr Giovanni Daneri, explains that "the Centre for Aquaculture Aysen is moving towards more holistic development of salmon farming industry in the region of Aysen".
He said it will support the aquaculture industry both local and public bodies.
Dr Daneri added that the Centre will integrate relevant information related to health issues (such as ISA virus), environmental issues, such as studies of carrying capacity, pollution and waste management.
"The observatory will have the capacity to collect and systematize the background that the CIEP and Program South-Southern COPAS, among other local actors, is generating around the aquatic ecosystems of the region," he said.
In terms of environmental sustainability Dr. Sergio Neira, Oceanographer of the CIEP and one of the leaders of the project Centre added that, among other activities in the region is implementing a monitoring system state variables such as oxygen and ammonia, and certain marine sustainability indicators, through a series and almost real time.
"Through these studies we can move towards early warning systems and predictive models of regional carrying capacity for aquatic ecosystems of the region," he said.
Gustavo Blanco, a researcher at the Universidad Austral de Chile, will be in charge of studying the socio-political aspects linked to the impact of aquaculture in the region. In this regard, note that the Center will study the social factors to aquaculture sustainability, examining the interrelationship of this sector with other economic activities.
