26 August 2026

On Thursday, August 20, at the Catholic University of the Most Holy Conception, the seminar “Status of Harmful Algal Blooms and Bioalgal Blooms: Effects on Fisheries and Aquaculture Resources in the Biobío Region” was held. The event was organized by the Undersecretariat of Fisheries and Aquaculture.

Héctor Tardón Sepúlveda, a researcher at CREAN (Center for the Study of Harmful Algae) of the Fisheries Development Institute (IFOP), who was one of the presenters, stated that the event served to publicize IFOP’s work on this important topic, thus promoting the development of The Aquaculture Research Division within our Regional Directorate and its collaboration with other organizations will allow us to be better prepared for potential events that may occur in the Biobío Region in the coming months.

Humberto Pool Peralta, Zonal Director of Fisheries and Aquaculture for the Biobío and Ñuble Regions, emphasized the importance of creating these spaces for dialogue and coordination to address the identified challenges.

Sergio Flores Claramunt, Regional Director of IFOP in Biobío, appreciated the opportunity and the consideration given to our institute, which can contribute significantly to this effort. He concluded by noting that the next step is to move forward with the formation of specific working subcommittees.

Finally, Pablo Carrasco Olivares, Head of Communications and Outreach at the INCAR 2 Center, stated that this seminar opens opportunities to improve the knowledge, monitoring, and management of harmful algal blooms (HABs) in our region, as well as to promote the consumption of fishery and aquaculture resources. The coastal zone should be viewed as a source of safe and healthy seafood, where Governance in the context of FAN will be key.