Chilean salmon company Blumar submits $20 million environmental assessment for planned expansion of Los Lagos smolt facility
Chilean salmon farming company Blumar has submitted an Environmental Impact Statement to Chile's Environmental Assessment Service (SEA) for a $20 million modernization project at its farm in Puyehue, Los Lagos Region, which will expand smolt capacity and introduce recirculating aquaculture technology.
Chilean salmon farming company Blumar has submitted an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) to Chile's Environmental Assessment Service (SEA) for a $20 million (approximately €17.8 million) modernization project at its farm in Puyehue, Los Lagos Region.
According to a notice published by Blumar, the project will increase smolt production, though the company did not disclose specific figures. The project includes new incubation, smolt rearing and smoltification facilities; the introduction of recirculating aquaculture system (RAS) technology in the rearing halls, with biological filtration and reuse of water; and the strengthening of the water treatment system with the addition of 8 high-efficiency drum microfilters (rotofilters).
The farm, which began operating about three years ago, has been drawing water from the Pilmaiquén River, with used water treated through advanced filtration and disinfection systems before being returned to the river. Wido Martínez, Blumar's freshwater production manager, said the new technology is intended to ensure that water returned to the river strictly meets water quality parameters and current environmental regulations.
The farm currently employs 26 people, most of them local residents of Puyehue. The expansion project is expected to create about 75 direct and indirect jobs, with a focus on local recruitment and priority given to local suppliers and service providers. Martínez said the company hopes to build a long-term relationship that both invigorates the local economy and brings younger generations closer to a sustainable industry, enabling them to plan future careers without leaving their local area.
Other Blumar initiatives aimed at improving local living standards include building a kindergarten, schools and a vocational technical high school, providing human resources training, and strengthening ties with local communities through professional internship programs, visits to Blumar facilities and training.