In fulfillment of its transparency commitment, Blumar Seafoods presents its Sustainability Report for the 2018 period for the third consecutive year, which concentrates the management carried out in the Fishing and Salmon areas in the economic, environmental and social spheres.
The Report was developed under the new version of the Global Reporting Initiative, known as GRI Standards, a methodological change that was highlighted by Blumar’s General Manager, Gerardo Balbontín, who explained that this new model commits the company to establishing goals and objectives to be met in the medium and long term on the most relevant issues.
“I also highlight that this Report was developed in close collaboration with the company’s various stakeholder groups, who through surveys, interviews and two advisory committees held in Talcahuano and Puerto Montt, made known their perception and improvement proposals for the document’s content. This is a Report co-constructed with the community, consciously listening to the perception generated around our management, which allows us to advance in a sustainable view of our work,” commented Gerardo Balbontín.
From an economic perspective, the Sustainability Report highlights 2018 as the best year in Blumar’s history, thanks to its consolidated sales reaching USD 503 million, net profit of USD 77 million and EBITDA of USD 129 million.
The report also highlights the ProPyme Seal in Fishing and Salmon, which reflects Blumar’s strong commitment to achieving better linkages with its suppliers. This was backed by recognition such as being the best company in the sector for paying small and medium-sized enterprises, in the ranking of the Product Exchange and the Association of Entrepreneurs of Chile (ASECH).
Blumar also received other recognitions, as evidenced in this Sustainability Report. One of them is the Sustenta Award, Sprout category, which positions the company as the first aquaculture and fishing company in the country to obtain this award. To this is added the recognition from the Association of Exporters and Manufacturing, Asexma Chile, which granted Blumar the distinction of export excellence, allowing it to close a very good 2018, which comes to consolidate the implementation of the Sustainability strategy.
The document also evidences the company’s adherence to the Global Compact promoted by the UN, which allows them to assume a serious commitment to integrate the concept of Sustainability into the corporate strategy, through the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
In the production sphere, the commitment to reduce antibiotic use stands out, achieving a 26% reduction in the number of treatments applied, and a 16% reduction in the grams of antibiotics used in salmon. In turn, a 25% reduction in the use of antiparasitic treatments is evidenced.
Finally, it is noted that the reduction in dependence on fish meal and fish oil as feed for salmon, and the sustainable catch of jack mackerel, allow for a greater volume of product to be allocated for human consumption.
