With more than 800 participants from 35 countries, the Latin American & Caribbean Aquaculture (LAQUA 2025) was held in Puerto Varas — the most important aquaculture event in Latin America and the Caribbean. For the first time, it took place in Chile and was co-organized by the Latin American Chapter of the World Aquaculture Society (WAS), the Austral University of Chile, and the Salmon Technological Institute (INTESAL). Seven researchers from IFOP’s Departments of Restocking and Culture and Environment, part...
The Environmental Department of the Fisheries Development Institute (IFOP) officially announces the start of the 2025–2026 mussel seed collection season in the Los Lagos Region (Region X). This announcement is based on the results of the larval monitoring program carried out year-round in the area, funded by the Undersecretariat for Fisheries and Aquaculture (Subpesca). The program has detected a significant increase in D-larvae concentration, indicating recent spawning events of mussel breeders (Chilean mussels, Mytilus chilensis). These events were identified...
CIENTEART 2025 is a platform designed to promote school scientific talent in the commune of Cochamó, fostering a culture of innovation and collaborative learning. On October 8 and 9, the Liceo de Cochamó – Escuela Fronteriza Juan Soler Manfredini became the epicenter of innovation and knowledge during the CIENTEART 2025 science fair, an event organized by the Municipality of Cochamó that brought together students, teachers, and various institutions to celebrate science, art, and creativity in education. The fair featured...
The Fisheries Development Institute (IFOP), together with the Mexican Institute for Research in Sustainable Fisheries and Aquaculture (IMIPAS), are carrying out a joint project aimed at “Developing co-management processes for small-scale fisheries, with an emphasis on benthic resources in Chiloé Island, Ancud Bay in southern Chile, and in the localities of Celestún, Sisal, Progreso, and Río Lagartos in Yucatán, Mexico.” The project incorporates principles of gender equality, inclusion, technological training in aquaculture and fisheries, and climate change adaptation. ...
At the La Isla Ecological Park in the commune of Concón (Valparaíso Region), the launch ceremony of the “Action Plan for the Conservation of Seabirds in Chile” was held — a milestone in the nation’s efforts to safeguard marine biodiversity. The event was led by the Minister of the Environment, Maisa Rojas, and attended by representatives from the NGO Audubon for the Americas, along with researchers, local authorities, and organizations dedicated to marine wildlife conservation. Biodiversity is facing a...
On Sunday, October 5th, the closing event of the 2025 Science Week took place at the Plaza de Armas of La Serena, featuring a massive Science Fair that combined experimental activities, cultural exhibitions, and musical performances. The event highlighted the role of basic and applied sciences in society, showcasing the work of research institutions, universities, and public services from the Coquimbo Region. Participating with booths at the fair were the Agricultural Research Institute (INIA Incahuasi), Par Explora Coquimbo, CEAZA,...
With interactive talks and a presentation on the “Semilla Endémica” platform As part of the Ocean Day celebration, the Fisheries Development Institute (IFOP) actively participated in the second edition of the Chiloé Environmental Festival, “ChiloEcofest”, an event organized by the NGO Chiloé Protegido, the Parque Tantauco Foundation, and the Municipality of Quellón, with the goal of highlighting the natural heritage of the archipelago. On this occasion, IFOP researchers carried out various scientific outreach activities in the commune of Quellón....
The Fisheries Development Institute (IFOP), in coordination with the Regional Ministerial Secretariat of Science, Technology, Knowledge, and Innovation, had an active and outstanding participation in the Science Festival, carrying out various activities in different locations in the Arica and Parinacota Region. The first day took place on September 29 in the town of Putre, where IFOP professionals Patricio Muñoz and Daniel Fuenzalida presented the exhibition “Encounter between Two Worlds: The Pacific in Putre.” This unprecedented activity, organized in conjunction...
On October 1 and 2, in Viña del Mar, within the framework of the project “Economic Monitoring of the National Fishing and Aquaculture Industry“, the International Workshop on the Review and Methodological Validation of the Calculation of Per Capita Consumption of Seafood was held. This workshop was organized by the Department of Economics and Statistics of IFOP. The purpose of the workshop was to review the quality and validity of official estimates of per capita consumption of seafood in...
On October 1, IFOP participated in the First Meeting of Chilean Giant Squid Processors and Exporters. The meeting was organized by the Chilean Association of Fishing Plants (Appes Chile) and was attended by the Undersecretary of Fisheries and Aquaculture, Julio Salas, the National Director of the National Fisheries Service, María Soledad Tapia, the Director of the Fisheries Development Institute, Gonzalo Pereira, and researchers from the Fisheries Assessment Department, Karen Belmar and Claudio Bernal. On the occasion, through its new...
From September 23rd to 25th, the 19th Annual Meeting of the Technical-Scientific Committee of the Regional Action Plan for Sharks, Rays, and Chimaeras in the Southeast Pacific Region (CTC-PAR-Sharks) was held in Lima, Peru. This meeting was organized by the Permanent Commission of the South Pacific (CPPS). Scientists from Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru participated. The Chilean delegation, composed of researchers Francisco Concha from the University of Valparaíso and Patricio Barría from the Fisheries Development Institute, attended the meeting....
For the Monitoring of El Niño and its Impacts on the Ecosystems of the Southeast Pacific, and the Spawning Stock Assessment Cruises of Anchovy and Common Sardine. During the spring of each year, the Department of Oceanography and Environment (DOMA) of the Fisheries Research Division of IFOP conducts, within the context of three almost simultaneous cruises, the assessment of the spawning stock of anchovy between Arica and Coquimbo, as well as the assessment of the spawning stock of anchovy...
The SPRFMO, comprised of 15 countries, including Chile, as well as the European Union, is responsible for research and the adoption of management measures for horse mackerel and Giant Squid fisheries, deep-sea fisheries, monitoring and protecting vulnerable environments, habitat monitoring, exploratory fishing, climate change, and other issues in the high seas of the South Pacific. The Scientific Committee (SC) of the Organization met from September 8 to 13 in Wellington, New Zealand. The IFOP delegation was composed of Dr....
The Good Labor Practices with Gender Equity Program (BPLEG), promoted by the National Service for Women and Gender Equity (Sernameg), aims to reduce gender inequalities in labor organizations that affect women’s integration, retention, and development in the paid workforce. To this end, each year new organizations join the program and voluntarily undergo a process that includes awareness-raising, self-assessment, and the design of action plans, addressing topics such as recruitment, career development, work-life balance, harassment prevention, pay equity, and inclusive...
The international workshop “Advancing Electronic Fisheries Monitoring in Chile” was held on September 9 and 10. It was organized by the National Fisheries and Aquaculture Service (Sernapesca) and the Undersecretariat of Fisheries and Aquaculture (Subpesca) with support from Future of Fish and The Nature Conservancy (TNC) to evaluate the current electronic monitoring monitoring, control, and supervision program for the industrial fleet and prepare for its incorporation in a segment of the artisanal sector in certain fisheries. The electronic monitoring...
