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imagen de Gerardo Balbontín Fox

Gerardo Balbontín Fox

CEO
Blumar

Gerardo Balbontín Fox is a seasoned executive with a strong track record in strategic leadership and corporate management within the Chilean aquaculture sector. Throughout his career, he has led prominent salmon farming companies, holding senior executive roles and overseeing large-scale operational and organizational processes. His expertise integrates strategic vision, financial discipline, and deep knowledge of the aquaculture value chain — from production and farming operations to global commercialization. He has managed multidisciplinary teams in highly regulated and technically demanding environments, promoting productivity improvements, operational efficiency, and enhanced sustainability standards. In addition to his executive responsibilities, he has contributed to industry-level discussions through participation in boards and sector-related initiatives, addressing competitiveness, regulatory frameworks, and the long-term development of Chilean aquaculture in international markets. His professional profile combines corporate leadership, industrial expertise, and a long-term strategic perspective focused on sustainable sector growth.

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imagen de Marianne Gaedicke

Marianne Gaedicke

Senior Advisor
Seafood People

Senior executive with more than two decades of experience leading commercial and strategic operations in the global aquaculture and fisheries industry. She is recognized for building strategic partnerships, negotiating complex commercial agreements, and managing multicultural teams.

imagen de Dra. Liane Bassini

Dra. Liane Bassini

Researcher
Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Universidad San Sebastián

Researcher with expertise in genetics and genomics applied to health and productivity improvement in fish.

imagen de Dr. José Aguilar Manjarrez

Dr. José Aguilar Manjarrez

Aquaculture Officer
FAO Regional Office for Latin America and the Caribbean

Ph.D. and M.Sc. in Aquaculture from the University of Stirling (United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland), a Diploma in Financial Aquaculture from the Instituto Tecnológico y de Estudios Superiores de Monterrey (ITESM), Mexico, and a B.Sc. in Oceanography from the Universidad Autónoma de Baja California (UABC), Mexico. Since joining the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) in 1996, he has led sustainable aquaculture development initiatives in more than 45 countries. He currently serves as Fisheries and Aquaculture Officer at the FAO Regional Office for Latin America and the Caribbean, based in Santiago, Chile, where he promotes innovative policies and solutions to strengthen the resilience and sustainability of the sector in the region.

imagen de Gonzalo Ibáñez

Gonzalo Ibáñez

International Regulatory Analyst
United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA)

International Regulatory Analyst at the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA), based in Santiago, Chile, a position he has held since 2010. An Agricultural Engineer with advanced training in agrarian economics and international trade policy, he has extensive experience in regulatory affairs, food safety, and international cooperation through both government and multilateral organizations.