Lago Sofía, which is located in Puerto Montt, Chile, is the first smolt producer to be certified under strict animal welfare standards © Ace Aquatec
The in-water technology enables the ethical culling of small juvenile salmon that would otherwise be euthanised using chemicals, as they are deemed unlikely to thrive at sea. By replacing anaesthetics with this chemical-free solution, these fish can be redirected for human consumption and other by-products, thereby opening access to new markets. This innovation also supports producers’ goals of reducing chemical use in the culling process and moving toward a zero-waste supply chain.
“Working with the team at Ace Aquatec* has been a very positive experience for us. The A-HCS system has delivered results beyond our expectations, making the culling process safer, simpler, and highly efficient. This technology has reinforced our commitment to animal welfare, while reducing costs and supporting our long-term sustainability goals,” said Alejandro Delgadillo, production manager at Lago Sofía, in a press release.
This is Ace Aquatec’s first installation of the A-HCS system in Chile, and it has already demonstrated significant operational and environmental benefits, along with major improvements in fish welfare.
For Lago Sofía, which uses individual recirculation systems for smolt production, the system is essential during two critical stages: fish grading (from 30 grams and up) and the vaccination process (from 50 grams onward).
At these stages, along with the ethical culling process, Lago Sofía has achieved significant savings in logistics, labour, chemicals, and materials used in operations. The company has reported efficiency improvements of up to 75 percent in labour savings, freeing staff to focus on other tasks within the company. Similarly, environmental benefits have been recorded, including a significant reduction in water consumption during trials.
“The installation of our humane culling system at Lago Sofía marks an important milestone for Chile’s salmon industry. Combining world-class welfare standards with practical operational efficiency will help drive sustainability across the production process. Lago Sofía’s commitment to reducing chemical use and advancing toward a zero-waste supply chain sets an inspiring precedent. This partnership demonstrates that advances in fish welfare, environmental responsibility, and operational excellence can truly go hand in hand,” added Constanza Fontaine, sales and service manager at Ace Aquatec.
Lago Sofía, which produces smolts for some of the region’s leading aquaculture companies, also highlighted that the portability and ease of cleaning of the A-HCS system allow them to operate in different areas without compromising biosecurity measures.
*Ace Aquatech, like Hatch, is part of Aqua-Spark's investment portfolio, but The Fish Site retains editorial independence.
