On May 13th, the Marine Month Fair was held at the Penco High School. An IFOP team attended, as in previous years. Regarding the event, Cristián Villouta, Field Coordinator of the pelagic project, which includes an outreach component, stated that the objective of their participation was to show the high school students the work carried out by their scientific observers, who could be future sources of employment. The workshop delved into the work carried out on board artisanal and industrial fishing vessels, as well as the bycatch visible during the unloading of the main pelagic resources of our region.
Gabriel Guzmán, Coordinator of the Aquaculture program at the Liceo Pencopolitano, expressed his gratitude to the regional office team for their participation and the quality of the materials presented at the 2026 Sea Month Fair organized by the school. He noted the fair’s relevance, highlighting the main fisheries of the region and how this connects to the creation of scientific content on fisheries and aquaculture for educational institutions.
Sergio Flores Claramunt, Regional Director of IFOP in Biobío, emphasized the long-standing relationship with the Liceo Pencopolitano, noting that several members of the scientific observation team are alumni of the school. He added that two of their students are currently completing their internships at IFOP facilities. “We hope to continue strengthening this collaborative work,” Flores concluded.
