During this interview, senior researcher Andrea Corredor Acosta explained the use of cutting-edge hyperspectral satellite technology for ocean observation and phytoplankton studies, emphasizing the importance of complementing daily high-resolution optical images with direct in-situ measurements at sea. She also addressed the impact of continental and oceanic microplastic dispersion through ocean current monitoring, as well as the assessment of changes in temperature and salinity in the waters off southern Chile in response to global warming and glacial melt.

Authorities established priorities focused on containing the spread of invasive species and leveraging funding for the sustainable management of the artisanal puye fishery in the Pitipalena-Añihué Marine Protected Area. The Biodiversity and Protected Areas Service (SERNAPESCA) initiated a new phase of institutional and scientific coordination with the Fisheries Development Institute (IFOP) and the Regional Directorate of Fisheries and Aquaculture. The meeting, held in Coyhaique, allowed for the establishment of common priorities to address threats to local marine ecosystems and...

The Zooplankton Laboratory of the Fisheries Development Institute (IFOP) is leading an ambitious project to digitize and analyze biological data from over 62 years of marine samples. This research is crucial for understanding ocean evolution and ensuring the sustainability of fisheries resources in the country.

To mark the first anniversary of the establishment of IFOP’s Department of Economics and Statistics (DEE), and with the aim of bringing the DEE’s work closer to the entire community, a series of presentations by the researchers and the DEE’s leadership team were held during May and June 2026. It is worth noting that professionals from various IFOP regions and units participated in the different sessions. In addition, professionals from the Undersecretariat of Fisheries and Aquaculture, the National Fisheries...

During her appearance on the TwitterCafé program, IFOP researcher Nicole Pesse Lastra detailed the environmental studies the institution conducts in the southern macrozone, emphasizing the fundamental role of science in protecting lake ecosystems and the constant monitoring of the impact of aquaculture on freshwater bodies.

Researchers from the Fisheries Development Institute participated in a new edition of the main national scientific meeting dedicated to the study of the oceans, sharing research results linked to marine resources, ecosystems and the challenges for their management and conservation. Between July 27 and 30, the XLV Congress of Marine Sciences took place at the University of Concepción, a meeting that brought together researchers, students, professionals and representatives of public and private institutions linked to the knowledge and study...

On Tuesday, August 11, 2026, the National Working Session of the Fisheries Development Institute (IFOP) began at the Marina del Rey Hotel in Viña del Mar. This strategic meeting brought together representatives, regional directors, managers, and union leaders from across the country to strengthen institutional planning and align their work plans. The session was led by fisheries engineer Luis Parot, recently appointed by the government to serve as executive director for a second term. He emphasized the importance of...

The conversation focused on the proliferation of cyanobacteria in freshwater bodies in Chile. Claudia explained that limnology is the field of study for these areas and detailed how increased nutrients from human activities and climate change intensify these blooms. As an expert, Claudia warned about the health risks posed by the toxins they produce, mentioning the serious impacts seen in places like Lake Bichuquén and Lake Villarrica. She emphasized that the main scientific and public policy challenge lies in...

The incorporation of electronic monitoring (EM) systems based on video cameras aboard fishing vessels has proven to be an effective tool for strengthening the oversight of fishing activities. However, its potential extends beyond the regulatory sphere, offering important applications for scientific research. Through image analysis, it is possible to identify caught species, record discards, and document the progress of fishing operations, providing objective and traceable evidence of activities carried out at sea. In this context, electronic monitoring represents a...

On Friday, July 31, a comprehensive internal training session on fishing and aquaculture topics was held at the Biobío Regional Directorate. This session took advantage of the participation of colleagues from various regions in the XLV Congress of Marine Sciences, which this year was organized by the Chilean Society of Marine Sciences, the University of Concepción, and the Faculty of Natural and Oceanographic Sciences of that university. Attendees from the region included scientific observers, researchers, field coordinators, technologists, and...

The interview with Alejandra Oyanedel (biologist, PhD in Environmental Sciences and head of the Environment Department of the Aquaculture Research Division of IFOP) focused on the research and monitoring of Didymus (Didymosphenia geminata), an exotic and invasive microalga that affects freshwater ecosystems in Chile.

Dr. Patricia Zárate, head of the Fisheries Assessment Department at the Fisheries Development Institute (IFOP), is part of the research team behind the scientific article “Global tracking of marine megafauna space use reveals how to achieve conservation targets,” which was awarded National Champion Award for Australia in the fourth edition of the Frontiers Planet Prize, one of the most prestigious international awards for research with the potential to generate solutions to the planet’s environmental challenges. The researcher recently received...

On Friday, July 31, 2026, Dr. Oscar Espinoza and Dr. Jaime Letelier, from the Fisheries Development Institute (IFOP), gave key presentations with updates and forecasts on El Niño events and red tides in the South Pacific, specifically in the inland sea area of ​​Chiloé, to the Inter-Institutional Committee on Environmental Contingencies (CICA). The committee is coordinated by Sernapesca (National Fisheries Service) and includes authorities and representatives from the Navy, the Ministry of Health, SUBPESCA (Undersecretariat of Fisheries and Aquaculture),...

Interview with Dr. Jaime Letelier, head of the Oceanography Department at the Fisheries Development Institute (IFOP), about the early warnings issued by the institution and the impact of extreme thermal anomalies associated with the El Niño phenomenon on the Chilean coast. During the conversation, the specialist details how the alteration of coastal upwelling and high temperatures have caused the displacement of traditional fishery resources such as jack mackerel and anchovy to the south or to deeper waters, while also...

Specialists from IFOP and the Undersecretariat of Fisheries and Aquaculture presented advances in wild fish health, bacterial resistance to antimicrobials, and strengthening research for decision-making in aquaculture. The Hydrobiological Health Department (DSH) of the Fisheries Development Institute (IFOP) held the “Workshop for Disseminating Results of the ASIPA 2025 Permanent Research Programs,” an event where progress on various research projects aimed at strengthening decision-making in aquaculture and hydrobiological health was presented. The day began with a welcome address by Dennis...