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 with the Provincial Presidential Delegation, was very well received by the community and enjoyed the enthusiastic participation of students and local residents.
The exhibition included a display of hydrobiological species, a presentation by Hernán Padilla, head of the IFOP Arica Regional Office, and the screening of a documentary about the Pacific Ocean, creating a space for learning and exchange between the coastal world and the highlands.
Subsequently, on October 4, IFOP participated in the Open Science Meeting, called “Tecito Científico” (Climate Scientific Tea), held on Paseo Las Machas in Arica. This event brought together researchers and educators from various disciplines to share findings, experiences, and reflections on locally relevant science.
On this occasion, researcher Raúl Ojeda represented IFOP with the talk “Plastic Oceans: Everything We Throw Out Comes Back,” where he addressed the problem of marine pollution and the Institute’s role in implementing the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ship Litter (Annex V, MARPOL 73/78). His presentation emphasized the importance of keeping our marine ecosystems clean and protecting biodiversity from the impacts of pollution.
Finally, on October 5th at Vicuña Mackenna Park, IFOP participated alongside other regional scientific institutions in an exhibition open to the Arica community, showcasing the main advances and research developed in the region. At this event, the Institute shared with the public some of its scientific work and its contribution to the knowledge and conservation of marine and continental ecosystems.
