Chile, China to work together to enhance aquaculture activities

CHINA – Chilean authorities, led by Undersecretary of Fisheries and Aquaculture Julio Salas, have traveled to China to strengthen collaboration in fisheries and aquaculture.

The delegation includes María Soledad Tapia, Director of the National Fisheries and Aquaculture Service, and Senator Fidel Espinoza, who chairs the Senate’s Commission on Maritime Interests, Fisheries, and Aquaculture.

During the visit, Chilean officials established connections with institutions such as Shanghai University and the Chinese Academy of Fisheries and Aquaculture Sciences.

According to Salas, the cooperation aims to facilitate scientific research and technological advancements to improve artisanal fishing conditions.

One key aspect of the collaboration involves a technical team from Shanghai University traveling to Chile this year to support research on reducing sea lion interference in fishing areas.

Research and Agreements

The Chilean delegation visited an aquaculture research center and participated in technical discussions on deep-sea fishing in Zhoushan, a coastal city in China.

They also met with experts from Shanghai Maritime University and Chinese government representatives, reaching agreements on future fisheries initiatives.

In Beijing, the officials held discussions with Zhang Zhili, China’s Vice Minister of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, to explore strategies for improving fisheries cooperation between the two nations.

Salas stated that a high-level team from Shanghai Maritime University, composed of researchers studying interactions between marine mammals and artisanal fishing, will visit Chile within the first half of the year.

This partnership is expected to introduce technological solutions that address challenges in the Chilean fishing industry.

The visit follows an agreement signed in 2023 that allowed Chile to export fresh Pacific and coho salmon to China.

With China being a major market for seafood products, the cooperation could influence Chile’s fisheries trade in the coming years.

China’s seafood industry

China is a major player in global seafood production and trade, making it an important market for Chile’s fish exports.

In 2023, Chile secured an official protocol that allowed fresh Pacific salmon and coho salmon exports to China, which has stringent import regulations.

China accounts for about 35% of global seafood production, with aquaculture representing 82.2% of the country’s total seafood output by 2032.

The country was the world’s second-largest seafood importer in 2023, with purchases valued at US$23.2 billion.

China’s seafood consumption is projected to drive 40% of global demand growth by 2030, creating opportunities for exporters, including Chilean fisheries.