The focus of the conference was on how to optimize production in RAS, seen in light of the need to achieve larger and stronger smolts before transfer to sea.

The trend to produce ever larger smolts in recirculation aquaculture systems is gaining momentum in all the important salmon producing nations.

In Chile the facilities can theoretically cope with an increased biomass without requiring mayor investments. However, a stronger focus on continuous system optimization and use of specialized diets optimized for recirculation systems is required, as increased biomass will take the filter capacity in existing facilities to their operating limit, according to Martin León, Vice President of BioMar Americas.

The conference gathered speakers from the United States, Norway, Denmark, and Chile and was attended by around 150 delegates. The PATAGONIC RAS mirrors in many aspects the NORDIC RAS conference which is organized every second year in the Nordic countries. The target is to establish PATAGONIC RAS as the leading event for recirculation experts in the Southern Hemisphere.