Chilean fish-farming firm Smart Aquaculture SpA pushing forward on USD 180 million RAS

Chilean fish-farming company Smart Aquaculture SpA is continuing to gather both community support and the information it needs to pass the environmental approval process associated with building a USD 180 million (EUR 170 million) recirculating aquaculture system (RAS).

The company recently concluded another round in the citizens participation process – in which a firm meets with stakeholders to share information regarding the proposed project and answers any questions the community may have. The citizen participation process is one of the requirements in Chilean legislation for companies to gain environmental approval of new projects.

“The aquaculture industry, specifically salmon farming, urgently needs to adapt to the regulatory and environmental changes that are necessary for the sustainability of the national food industry,” Smart Aquaculture Founder Camilo Ruiz told SeafoodSource. “Furthermore, society is demanding that [salmon] producers leave lake areas and some marine areas, which is why we have proposed a project that will implement cutting-edge technology to develop the entire production process of salmonids – from egg to commercial size [of approximately 5.4 kilograms] – in a single, closed facility, isolated from the outside environment and controlling the different productive variables.”

Ruiz’s detailed explanation of the RAS was meant to ... 

Photo courtesy of Smart Aquaculture/Camilo Ruiz