Source: www.aqua.cl
This Wednesday in Puerto Varas, Blumar’s general manager, Gerardo Balbontín, presented the company’s first 2016 Sustainability Report.
No, it’s not that the aquaculture-fishing company that in 2016 had sales of US$383 million, Blumar, has just discovered the benefits of sustainability. In fact, during the 60 years it has been in the fishing sector or more than ten years in salmon farming, it has developed multiple initiatives aimed at being more environmentally friendly.
The difference this time, and hence the title of this article, is that Blumar decided to “incorporate sustainability at the heart of all our processes”, emphasized this Wednesday, September 6 in Puerto Varas (Los Lagos region) by the company’s general manager, Gerardo Balbontín, during the presentation of the first 2016 Sustainability Report, perhaps the most public and measurable action of the strategy adopted by the company. “Furthermore, with this step, we become the first fishing company in the country to deliver this type of information”, highlighted the executive.
During the event, where executives, workers and representatives from the aquaculture sector were present, Balbontín stated that “for Blumar, sustainability is collaborative work with its stakeholder groups that allow us to generate economic, social and environmental value”, adding that “to be leaders in this matter, we set three pillars: innovation, efficiency and sustainability”.
It should be noted that for the preparation of this report, which is based on GRI standards, the company’s main executives participated and more than 500 representatives of stakeholder groups were consulted.
Main resultsRegarding environmental performance, the report highlights aquaculture and fishing initiatives linked to energy efficiency, reduction in water consumption and recycling plans. “Specifically in the salmon area, during 2016 we had zero fish escapes, zero lethal actions with wildlife and zero fines and/or complaints. In turn, we actively participated in actions aimed at reducing environmental impact. These include the Global Salmon Initiative and the Pincoy Project”, stated the executive.
Sustainability: A good businessBut beyond Blumar seeking to be a leader in sustainability given that its business is based on natural resources, it has also adopted this strategy “because it is profitable for shareholders, its workers, communities and the country”, acknowledged Gerardo Balbontín.
To support this assertion, at the meeting the industrial engineer and current executive director of GeCo Group, Carlos Abogair, spoke, who in addition to participating in the development of the 2016 Sustainability Report, has advised various companies in the development of innovative social impact projects.
After analyzing the changes humanity has experienced in recent decades, highlighting world population growth and loss of trust in institutions, Abogair asserted that company profitability “is associated with sustainability, a task that must be projected long-term”.
Showing various analyses, Abogair emphasized that currently, for CEOs and directors of major companies worldwide, sustainability and the environment are the topics that concern them most, that “sustainability creates tangible value, improves Ebitda, generates long-term returns, is a competitive advantage and attracts investment funds”.
