Benchmark Genetics’ StofnFiskur renews its authorization to export salmon ova to Chile. The company was firstly approved in 2016 by the Chilean Fisheries and Aquaculture Authorities, Sernapesca, in accordance with the OIE (World Organization for Animal Health) Compartment standard. The approval covers the four salmon production sites in Iceland. StofnFiskur was the first breeding company in the world with this approval and is currently the only foreign company authorized to export Atlantic salmon ova to Chile.
OIE Compartments means that the zones around StofnFiskur’s four land-based facilities in Iceland is defined as completely isolated and protected from external disease threats. Broodstock, smolt and salmon ova can only be moved within the zone defined by the approval and the company also has to follow strict routines for follow-up, control and facility management as part of the approval. Benchmark Genetics’ StofnFiskur operation has been producing broodstock in full-cycle land-based systems in Iceland since 1991.
Sernapesca also has a great impact Benchmark Genetics Chile. In addition to the local production of broodstock and ova, they are also in a position to offer ova imported directly from Iceland to Chile. This means that we are in a position to deliver ova to the Chilean market every week of the year — both locally breed and imported eggs. The company is offering the two product packages SalmoProtect and SalmoSelect, including a number of genetic traits for disease resistance tailored to meet different customers' needs in Chile.
In November 2017, Benchmark Genetics imported highly biosecure and genetically advanced ova from Iceland to Chile as a starting point for establishing a local breeding program in the 2nd largest salmon producing country in the world. The broodstock is now being adapted to Chilean conditions by a team of the geneticists in Chile and Europe, to suit the needs of local customers. The company expects that the first deliveries of ova from local production will be available in Q1-2021.
