Sustainable goals and initiatives in salmon farming

Salmon farming has been working for years to become a sustainable and environmentally friendly industry. With this goal in mind, it has developed various plans and campaigns to promote sustainable development. 

Salmon farming is leading key transformations to protect the environment, strengthen its ties with communities, and move toward a production model that is not only responsible but also visionary. 

Initiatives such as the Clean Production Agreement, the science plan, and the beach cleanup campaign reflect this commitment to a more sustainable future. 

Below, we invite you to learn how Chilean salmon is setting a new standard in sustainability.

Innovation and environmental commitment

The salmon industry is leading the way toward sustainable production, integrating science, technology, and innovation to redefine its environmental impact and set new global standards for responsibility.

A key example of this is the Clean Production Agreement (APL), which since 2021 has promoted 60 actions to minimize the environmental footprint. Among its achievements are:

• Water footprint: 20 facilities measure and optimize their water consumption.
• Circular economy: More than 55 professionals trained in recycling and reuse practices.
• Energy management: 23 certified managers are improving energy efficiency in salmon farming companies.

In addition, fish farms have implemented technologies that allow up to 99% of water to be reused, balancing production and conservation.

Circular economy as the cornerstone of sustainability

The circular economy has become a pillar for salmon farming companies in Chile. This approach seeks to minimize waste and maximize the reuse of resources, ensuring that production is environmentally friendly.

• Waste recovery: in 2023, more than 33,000 tons of inorganic waste, such as buoys and nets, were recovered within the industry, significantly reducing waste.
• Transformation of by-products: Salmon mortality and viscera are processed into products such as meal, oil, fertilizers, and biodiesel, promoting a circular economy within the sector.
• Beach best practices manual: 30 voluntary measures are being implemented to prevent and reduce waste on the coast, involving communities, salmon farming companies, and workers in both cleanup and preservation efforts.

Science Plan: Research-Based Solutions

In 2023, SalmonChile’s Science Plan established a comprehensive strategy to address key challenges such as climate change, animal health, and biodiversity conservation.

Notable advances include:

• Seabed research: Studies to mitigate the impact of fish farms on the seabed.

• Water management: Analysis to optimize water use and ensure its long-term sustainability.

• Animal health: Development of medicinal and non-medicinal alternatives to reduce antibiotic use, achieving a 43% reduction since 2019.

Cleanup campaigns and environmental education

Since 2016, the “Committed to the Sea” campaign has collected more than 35,000 m³ of waste along 7,000 km of coastline, involving companies, suppliers, and technology startups. 

In 2023:

• 41 sectors were cleaned, collecting 2,853 m³ of waste such as Styrofoam, plastics, and ropes.
• 20 farming centers were audited to assess compliance with the good practices manual.

Goals for a sustainable future

Chilean salmon farming has set transformative goals for the coming years, consolidating its vision of leadership in sustainability and global responsibility.

• Reduce antibiotic use by 50% by 2025.
• Decrease carbon footprint by 30% by 2030.
• Increase water reuse to 90% in fish farms.
• Achieve 100% certification of aquaculture production under international standards by 2030.

Salmon farming is leading a shift towards a more sustainable, innovative model that is committed to its environment. These goals not only strengthen the position of Chilean salmon as a world-class product, but also reaffirm the commitment of salmon farming companies in Chile to development that is concerned with the environment and the well-being of local communities.