Indigenous communities in southern Chile protect the ocean against intensive salmon farming

In the Guaitecas Archipelago of southern Chile, local fishermen, residents, and indigenous Mapuche communities are utilizing traditional methods and legal frameworks to protect and revitalize the region against the damage caused by intensive salmon farming facilities to the marine ecosystem.

With more than 300 salmon farms located in the Guaitecas Archipelago, these facilities are reported to discharge hundreds of tons of chemicals and antibiotics into the sea each year. Local residents and scientists state that due to chemical pollution and organic matter accumulation, oxygen levels on the seabed have dropped, species populations have declined, and some areas have been described as "dead." On the other hand, industry associations such as SalmonChile argue that the decline in fish stocks is due to numerous factors, including climate change, water temperatures, illegal fishing, and invasive species.