In 1969 and 1970, Japanese experts commissioned by the Japan Fisheries Association and biologists of the Chilean Division Pesca y Caza undertook ecological and physiochemical surveys of the water resources in Chile which offered potential for salmon acclimation and culture. After an examination of many regions, efforts were concentrated in the central province of Aysen which had considerable logistic and technical advantages in addition to a suitable environment. From 1971, the work was sponsored by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), following a request by the Chilean Government. Active cooperation on a governmental basis has continued since then.