Don't miss the opportunity to participate in the largest aquaculture event in the Southern Hemisphere!
Don't miss the opportunity to participate in the largest aquaculture event in the Southern Hemisphere!
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.
Explore the full list of experts who will take part in conferences, panels, and
event activities.
Veterinarian with more than 25 years of experience in the Chilean salmon farming industry, with a professional background spanning fish health, production, nutrition, and product development for aquaculture. He has held both technical and commercial roles in international companies such as DSM Nutritional Products, Hendrix Genetics, and Corbion, leading initiatives related to nutrition, pigmentation, and market development across Latin America. He is the author of scientific publications and a frequent speaker at technical meetings and conferences within the aquaculture sector across several countries in the region.
Dr. Alex Romero is a Biochemist and PhD in Science with a specialization in Cellular and Molecular Biology from Universidad Austral de Chile. He currently leads the Laboratory of Immunology and Stress in Aquatic Organisms at the Faculty of Veterinary Sciences and is an Associate Researcher at the Interdisciplinary Center for Aquaculture Research (INCAR²). His research focuses on fish defense mechanisms against stress and pathogen infections, as well as the development of natural additives to improve fish health and resilience.
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.
