The new center is operated by Ecosalmon fish farm personnel trained and certified by PHARMAQ

Ecosalmon and PHARMAQ Inaugurate the First Automatic Vaccination Center for Salmon in Chile

CHILE
Monday, November 17, 2025, 00:10 (GMT + 9)

NFT Technology from PHARMAQ Fishteq Raises the Standards for Precision, Biosecurity, and Animal Welfare in National Aquaculture.

SANTIAGO - In a milestone for national aquaculture, Ecosalmon and PHARMAQ, the latter part of Zoetis, inaugurated the first Automatic Vaccination Center for salmon in Chile. The modern facility is located at Fundo Los Chilcos in Lago Ranco, Los Ríos Region.

Photo: Pharmaq

The installation incorporates advanced NFT (NFT Fishteq) technology from PHARMAQ, an automatic system that ensures vaccine application with greater precision, efficiency, and the highest standards of animal welfare.

Julio Mendoza, general manager of PHARMAQ Chile, highlighted the global relevance of this technology: "With more than 145 teams operating in Norway, Canada, the United Kingdom, Japan, and Chile, NFT technology has redefined fish vaccination worldwide. Mechanized precision reduces stress, improves immunization, and strengthens biosecurity. This first automatic center in the country is a concrete sign of the commitment to move towards a modern, innovative, and more sustainable aquaculture."

The PHARMAQ executive added that "a stressed or poorly handled fish does not develop an adequate immune response. The precision and control of the NFT machines' process reduce physical trauma and physiological stress, allowing for more effective immunization."

For his part, Jorge Goles, general manager of Ecosalmon, explained the company's vision: "This center is an investment in the future. It allows us to raise sanitary standards, strengthen biosecurity, and reduce the use of antibiotics. With the capacity to vaccinate 10 million fish per year, or 140 thousand smolt daily, we are consolidating a more efficient, transparent, and resilient production system."

Goles detailed that, between June and November, 4.5 million fish of different sizes have already been vaccinated, in collaboration with the companies Mowi and Blumar. "By requiring only a single stick and less sedation time, the fish recovers faster. The entire cycle is shorter and more efficient, also reducing the fasting periods prior to vaccination," he stated.

Ramón Eluchans, president of Ecosalmon, emphasized that “this industry contributes significantly to the country's progress in multiple areas—pharmaceutical, shipbuilding, technology, construction, and more—generating investment, growth, quality jobs, and progress for all its employees and their families. We must sustain this momentum with intelligence, determination, and action, along with a constant concern for the environment and animal welfare; it is our duty. At Ecosalmon, we gladly embrace this responsibility for our community.”

Finally, Arturo Clement, president of SalmonChile, valued the progress as a concrete example of collaboration. "This is an example of how the industry can generate value from Los Ríos to Magallanes. The collaboration between companies of different sizes and specialties (Ecosalmon, Mowi, Blumar, and PHARMAQ) demonstrates that it is possible to promote technology and innovation that benefit the country," he concluded.

The new center, operated by Ecosalmon fish farm personnel trained and certified by PHARMAQ, consolidates a significant step in the three pillars that define the future of salmon farming: productive efficiency, animal welfare, and environmental sustainability.

[email protected]
www.seafood.media

Print