May 7th, 2019, Prof. Gonzalo Gajardo (Universidad de Los Lagos), Dr. Fumito Maruyama (Kyoto University) and Dr. So Fujiyoshi (Kyoto University) visited the Dr. Shiraishi Hatchery managed by Los Lagos University, located close to the city (10 min by car) of Coyhaique, Aysén Region, at the mouth of river Claro in Simpson River. Established in 1976 thanks to Japanese and Chilean technical cooperation, this center pioneered the adaptation of salmon from the Northern hemisphere to Chile (*1). The objective of this visit was to know one of the first salmon hatcheries in Chile that paved the way to the salmon aquaculture and to lean the role model for social implementation, sustainability and continuity of the relationship of this project (MACH).
During our visit, Mr. Marcelo Díaz, the administrator of a hatchery, guided us throughout the facilities and explained the ongoing projects as well as the history of the place. The hatchery has established its own broodstock units of coho salmon（Oncorhynchus kisutch）to collect good quality eggs. Since the freshwater of river Claro, a tributary of Simpson has been providing clean and abundant water for long time, salmon reproduction and egg collection were carried out using the water of this river.
This hatchery was named after Dr. Yoshikazu Shiraishi, who tried to establish salmon farming (*2). Dr. Shiraishi died without fulfilling his ambition in this place; however, a monument is being built in honor of his achievements of the doctor. There are still many things, mainly equipment donated by JICA, in the food-processing plant, the pathology and food’s quality assessment labs. that shows deep relationship between Chile and Japan. Regents and instruments are labeled with Japanese which show the evidence of the close relationship between Chile and Japan.
The name of the city “Coyhaique” is pronounced koi=water, aike=camp in the remnant words of Tehuelche Tribe.
Tanks with Coho salmon juveniles that will be selected as broodstock (approximately 600 salmon/tank) for producing good quality eggs. These fish spend all their life in the hatchery. The water is supplied from Claro river close to the mouth at Simpson River.
Entrance Signboard at Dr. Shiraishi Hatchery.
Shireishi Hatchery surrounded by nature
In front of Monument of Dr. Shiraishi with Mr. Marcelo Díaz