Photo: AquaMaof Aquaculture Technologies Ltd./FIS

Atacama Yellowtail, the US$90 million aquaculture project to produce yellowtail kingfish (seriola lalandi) in Tongoy Bay

CHILE
Thursday, May 23, 2024, 06:50 (GMT + 9)

Atacama Yellowtail was created to develop an aquaculture project to produce Seriola Lalandi (Hydrobiological specie) of great commercial value. The fish is grown in tanks using the RAS technology (Recirculating Aquaculture System). The Project considers the growth of juveniles to a commercial weight of 3,5 Kilos.

Atacama Yellowtail (AYT) RAS facility for production of 900 tons of Yellowtail Kingfish (Seriola lalandi) in Coquimbo Region in north Chile. Supporting the diversification efforts of the Chilean aquaculture industry, the project will offer a premium sashimi-grade fish, known in the Japanese market as Hiramasa. The project will be located in Tongoy Bay, with plans to double production in the second stage to reach 1,800 tons per year and finally reach the goal of 4,000 tons per year.

Photo: AquaMaof Aquaculture Technologies Ltd./FIS

The magnitude of the initiative -near the town of Puerto Aldea- not only translates into the US$90 million it will require to materialize but also in recreating the animal's environment, since its reproduction will take place outside the sea.

To do this, the fish are raised in tanks using RAS (Recirculating Aquaculture System) technology develop by AquaMaof Technologies. Thus, in a phase that will last 14 months, it will start with juveniles from two to 12 grams, until reaching 3.5 Kilos of commercial weight.

Photo: Atacama Yellowtail SpA

The company is made up of a company where 51% will be controlled by the Best Potential Private Investment Fund (FIP), which includes capital to invest in aquaculture projects provided by THERA Capital S.A., other individuals, as well as Corfo. The resources of that percentage are managed by Novel Capital. The other remaining shareholders are FDU SpA, an investment company that owns 37% of the company, with investors from Concepción with strong connections to the fishing industry.

Completing the capital are Aqua Maof (5%), an Israeli company that develops the technology and has operations in Canada; Aleta SpA (2%) and Inno Sea (5%). Other contributors, according to the website, are the Ferronor Group, the Antillo Family, the Diéguez Family (former Disal) and the Petrinovich Family.

The plant receives juveniles monthly developing biomass which will be harvested weekly after the 14-month growing period in tanks using the RAS technology (Recirculating Aquaculture System). The Project considers the growth of juveniles to a commercial weight of 3,5 Kilos. Photo: Atacama Yellowtail SpA

The initiative has its origins around a decade ago, within the framework of a public-private analysis carried out to promote the diversification of the aquaculture industry beyond salmon, the latter in which Chile is the second main player globally, after Norway.

It is estimated that it would begin operations between 2025 and 2026, it would be located on land of approximately 54 thousand m2, and directed by Jorge Urrutia acting as general director. On the other hand, they expect that between 150 and 200 jobs will be generated during construction. Already in operation, at maximum capacity, the tasks would require 120 workers according to information from Semanario Tiempo.

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