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!
Between regulatory analysis and disruptive innovation, Aquasur 2026 presents its International Congress: a necessary forum for reflection to connect technology with the policies that will transform marine protein production. Tickets are available at this link.
Puerto Montt is preparing to host another edition of Aquasur, the most important event in the sector in the Southern Hemisphere. As is already part of the fair’s DNA, this year the event seeks to transcend the mere exhibition of machinery and services, consolidating itself, through its XIII International Congress, as the main meeting point where the roadmap for the global aquaculture industry is charted.
From March 24 to 26, the venue located on Route 5 in Puerto Montt will not only showcase technology, but will also host the analysis of the guidelines and trends that will set the standard in sustainability, regulation, and international markets. The Congress is presented as a necessary forum for reflection to understand where marine protein production is headed in the coming decades.
Leadership and Regulation: The Pillars of the Opening Day
The program will begin by focusing on governance and the vision of decision-makers.
One of the highlights of the first day (Tuesday, March 24, at 1:30 p.m.) will be the symbolic first session of the Salmon Plan 2050 Committee, an initiative spearheaded by the mayor of Puerto Montt, Rodrigo Wainraihgt. The committee has brought together regional authorities, trade associations, workers, academics, and companies in the sector to develop a long-term roadmap for salmon farming in the Southern Macrozone.
Following this, one of the most anticipated panels will take place (2:30 p.m.): “Regulatory Challenges for the Sustainable Growth of Aquaculture.” This panel will feature the participation of the Undersecretary of Fisheries, Osvaldo Urrutia, along with legal experts and representatives from the FAO, and will be moderated by former Comptroller Ramiro Mendoza. This forum aims to establish the regulatory framework designed to balance production with ecosystem protection.
At approximately 4:15 p.m., the panel “At the Helm: Leadership Perspectives on the Future of Salmon” will bring together top executives from leading producers, including Ricardo García (Camanchaca), Gerardo Balbontín (Blumar), and Cristián Swett (Multi X). They will engage in a dialogue that will provide firsthand insights into business strategies in the face of the demanding global landscape.
International perspectives will also play a key role in the debate “Opportunities and Trends in Aquaculture in International Markets.” With representatives from Norway and Denmark, as well as the Director General of ProChile, Ignacio Fernández, the panel will analyze global consumer demands and the competitive gaps that Chile must close.
Innovation and Health: The Heart of Wednesday
During the second day, the congress will focus on applied science.
This day will begin at 11:00 a.m. with a keynote address by Yngve Torversen, Director General of Aquaculture at the Norwegian Ministry of Trade, Industry and Fisheries.
At 12:30 p.m., the second session of the day will begin, entitled “Emerging FDA Regulations with an Impact on the Aquaculture Industry.”
This session will feature presentations by Christopher Waldrop, Senior Health Specialist at the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and Gonzalo Ibáñez, International Regulatory Analyst at the FDA.
In the afternoon, animal welfare will take center stage in Session 3, where the panel “New Perspectives on Managing Animal Welfare in Aquaculture” will bring together experts from OMSA, the University of Chile, and Intesal. The discussion will address not only production ethics but also the operational and health impact of animal-centered management.
Science, AI, and Biotechnology: The Congress Closing
On Thursday the 26th, the focus will shift to innovative solutions. Session 4 will include a panel on “Innovation for Sustainability in Aquaculture,” featuring technology players such as Oxzo and Alumichem, who will discuss science-industry collaboration for real-world solutions in the water sector. Finally, the afternoon session will address “Disruptive Technologies for Sustainable Aquaculture Production.” Here, Artificial Intelligence and real-time analytics will take center stage, demonstrating how data processing
