Salmon aquaculture: production growth and new markets

摘要

Aquaculture is distinguished from other aquatic production by the degree of human intervention and control that is possible. This control makes innovation possible and is accordingly essential for the rapid technological changes that have taken placesince the early 1970s. Environmental conditions can be controlled to a large extent, breeding programmes undertaken and harvesting timed to ensure continuous supplies of fresh product. Salmon is among the most successful aquaculture species so far in that production has increased substantially as technology has become more intensive and industrialized. The control of the production process has also enabled a number of innovations in the supply chain making logistics and distribution more efficient. Moreover, its market has spread geographically and is now global, and new product forms enter the market in increasing numbers. Production is carried out in salmon-indigenous waters, as well as in areas where salmon is an exotic species, and the two largestproducing countries (Chile and Norway) are located at the opposite sides of the world. In this paper we look closer at the processes that have made salmon a success story, with a particular focus on innovation. Moreover, we give special attention to Chile, which is today a leading salmon producer despite salmon being an exotic species in that region and long distances to the main markets.