Chile is the world's second-largest exporter of farmed salmon, and the biggest supplier to the US. In the south of the country a dispute continues over the large number of salmon farms that are located in supposedly protected areas. The port city of Puerto Montt, more than 1,000km (600 miles) south of Chile's capital Santiago, is at the heart of the country's farmed Atlantic salmon industry. At a processing facility on the outskirts of town workers kitted out in white suits, hairnets, facemasks, and blue plastic gloves and boots prepare fresh and smoked salmon for export to the US and Japan. In a spacious meeting room, Fracisco Lobos, the chief corporate officer for the plant's owner – salmon-exporter Multi X – explains how farming the fish has transformed the south of Chile. "Salmon's been part of this region's industrial revolution," he says. "There used to be a lot of poverty in the region, and now many people earn more than in other parts of Chile. "Because of the industry a lot of support services have sprung up, which benefit the families living here, and people have moved here from other parts of the country for work." Atlantic salmon are not native to Chile. Instead, eggs were brought over to Chile from the UK at the end of the 19th Century and released into rivers, lakes and the sea to grow into fish for recreational fishing. Farming the fish in netted, offshore pens then started in the 1970s, before growing substantially ever since. There were 1,343 active salmon farms across southern Chile at the end of last year. In 2024 as a whole, Chile exported 782,076 tonnes of salmon and trout, according to the latest annual figures from the Chile's National Customs Service. The vast majority of this is salmon, but the two fish are counted together in the official data. This was worth $6.4bn (£4.8bn), making it Chile's third-biggest export after copper in first place and fresh fruit. It also means that Chile's salmon exports are only surpassed by Norway's. Some 86,000 people now work directly or indirectly for Chile's farmed salmon industry, according to trade body Salmón Chile. The farms stretch from the Biobío region, which is around 500km south of Santiago, right down to the Magallanes region in the far Patagonian south of the country, and more than 2,000km away from the capital. With global demand for farmed salmon due togrow by 40%by 2033, according to one report, Chilean producers are keen to increase their production. However, it actually fell slightly last year. Salmón Chile's chairman, Arturo Clements, says the government needs to do more to help the industry expand. "For us it's been very difficult to grow, because we have too many regulations, and we have too many conflicts regarding the use of the sea," he says. "What we need is to define a long-term strategy regarding salmon farming." Much of the conflict concerns the locations of many of the fish farms, which critics say are highly polluting. More specifically, there are 408 salmon farming concessions – licenses granted by the government that allow a company to operate a salmon farm in a specific area – within supposedly environmentally protected areas in Chile. These include 294 in national reserves, where limited commercial use of natural resourcesis allowed.And 29 in the more strictly controlled national parks, where business operations are officially not supposed to be permitted. Flavia Liberona is the executive director of Terram, a foundation that promotes sustainable development. In her hot and sticky office in an old building in the centre of Santiago she describes an environmental campaign that she's part of – Salvemos La Patagonia or Save Patagonia. It wants to protect the natural habitat of the entire Chilean Patagonia region. This vast geographic area starts north of Puerto Montt and then extends all the way down to the very base of the country. And it is where most of the salmon farms are located, in its many fjords. "We want the salmon farms to stop operating in the national parks and national reserves," says Ms Liberona. "The salmon farming causes various environmental problems. One is that the fish are kept in cages and fed with pellets. "A lot of the pellets and fish faeces end up on the seabed and that leads to less oxygen which kills the sea life in the ocean underneath the cages, and depending on the current, elsewhere in the sea." When these concerns are put to Mr Clement from Salmón Chile, he explains that there are different categories for the salmon farming concessions. "In terms of concessions in the national parks we have 21 that we aren't using," he says. "We have told the government that we don't want to be there and asked to be relocated but nothing has happened for many years." Regarding salmon farming in national reserves, he says that is a different environment which, according to Chilean law and the rules and regulations they follow, they can operate in. In Chile, the salmon industry is regulated by The Undersecretariat for Fisheries and Aquaculture, a public body that is part of the Ministry of Economy, Development and Tourism. It looks at environmental protection and sustainability, and is also working on a new general aquaculture law to further regulate the sector. Julio Salas Gutiérrez, the Chilean Undersecretary of Fisheries and Aquaculture, tells the BBC that the government is working to remove fish farms from the national parks. "It's not right to claim that the government 'has done nothing for years' regarding the relocation of concessions outside of national parks," he says. "Under the current administration, efforts have been made not only to understand the problem, but also to advance it. "The relocation process itself is usually quite complex, bureaucratic, and takes a considerable number of years, considering the difficulty of relocating these concessions to new areas suitable for aquaculture." Matt Craze is the founder of UK and Chile-based Spheric Research, which studies global seafood markets. He says that Chile's salmon industry would invest more money "if they felt that there was a better regulatory framework, and the government gave some certainty about the areas where they can farm". Yet with a general election due in Chile later this year, the uncertainty may continue at least in the short term.
Chile's salmon farms hope for calmer waters
TruthLens AI Suggested Headline:
"Chile's Salmon Farming Industry Faces Environmental and Regulatory Challenges"
Bbc News
6.4
TruthLens AI Summary
Chile stands as the world's second-largest exporter of farmed salmon, with a significant portion of its production directed toward the United States. Central to this industry is Puerto Montt, a port city located over 1,000 kilometers south of Santiago, which serves as the hub for salmon farming in the region. The growth of this industry has been transformative for the local economy, providing jobs and boosting incomes significantly. Francisco Lobos, the chief corporate officer of Multi X, a major salmon exporter, highlights the positive impact on the community, noting that the salmon industry has helped alleviate poverty and fostered the development of support services that benefit local families. Since the introduction of Atlantic salmon to Chile in the late 19th century, the farming of these fish has expanded dramatically; there were 1,343 active salmon farms reported by the end of last year. In 2024, Chile's salmon and trout exports reached 782,076 tonnes, valued at $6.4 billion, making it the country's third-largest export after copper and fresh fruit. However, the salmon production faced a slight decline last year, prompting industry leaders like Arturo Clements of Salmón Chile to call for a more supportive regulatory environment to facilitate growth amidst increasing global demand for farmed salmon, projected to rise by 40% by 2033.
Despite the economic contributions of the salmon farming sector, there is an ongoing dispute regarding the environmental impact of these farms, particularly those located in protected areas. Critics, including Flavia Liberona from the foundation Terram, argue that many salmon farms are situated within national reserves and parks, leading to pollution and ecological degradation. The government has acknowledged these concerns, with the Undersecretariat for Fisheries and Aquaculture working on a new aquaculture law to enhance regulation. While some farms are willing to relocate from national parks, bureaucratic challenges hinder progress. Undersecretary Julio Salas Gutiérrez emphasized the complexities involved in relocating farm concessions. Industry experts like Matt Craze suggest that a clearer regulatory framework could encourage further investment in the sector. With a general election approaching in Chile, the future of salmon farming regulation remains uncertain, complicating the industry's potential for growth.
TruthLens AI Analysis
The article provides an overview of Chile's salmon farming industry, highlighting its economic impact, historical context, and ongoing environmental controversies. By focusing on the successes of the salmon farming sector, it seeks to portray a narrative that emphasizes economic growth and transformation while potentially downplaying the negative aspects associated with the industry.
Economic Impact and Growth
Chile has positioned itself as a global leader in salmon farming, significantly contributing to the economy. The article mentions how the industry has alleviated poverty in the region, creating jobs and supporting local communities. This portrayal aims to foster a sense of pride and optimism among residents and stakeholders about the industry's role in regional development.
Environmental Concerns
The ongoing dispute regarding the presence of salmon farms in protected areas is a critical issue that the article touches upon. While it highlights the positive economic effects, it does not delve deeply into the environmental implications or community opposition to these farms. By omitting a more balanced view of the environmental challenges, the article may create a skewed perception of the industry's sustainability.
Manipulative Aspects
The language used in the article seems to favor the salmon farming industry, focusing on success stories without adequately addressing criticisms. This selective presentation can be seen as a form of manipulation, as it may lead readers to overlook the complexities and potential negative consequences of salmon farming, such as its impact on marine ecosystems and local biodiversity.
Comparison with Other News
When compared to other reports on environmental issues in the aquaculture sector, this article appears to adopt a more positive tone, potentially aligning with interests that support the industry. Articles that focus more heavily on environmental degradation or social justice issues related to aquaculture may provide a more comprehensive view, highlighting the tension between economic benefits and ecological costs.
Public Perception and Support
The narrative of economic growth may resonate well with communities directly involved in or benefiting from the salmon industry. However, it might alienate environmental advocates and those concerned about sustainability, creating a divide in public perception. The article seems to cater more to business interests and local economies rather than environmental considerations.
Market and Economic Implications
The positive portrayal of the salmon industry may influence investor sentiment and market confidence. As a major player in the global seafood market, any boosts in Chile's salmon exports could positively affect stock prices for companies involved in aquaculture and related sectors. However, any potential backlash over environmental concerns could lead to volatility in these stocks.
Global Context
Chile’s position as a significant exporter of farmed salmon has implications for global trade dynamics, especially concerning food security and sustainability practices. The article’s focus on economic achievements may reflect broader trends in the food industry, where economic growth is often prioritized over environmental health.
Artificial Intelligence Influence
It is possible that AI tools were used in crafting this article to optimize its structure and language for clarity and engagement. If AI models were employed, they could have influenced the framing of the narrative to prioritize economic benefits while minimizing environmental discussions, shaping the overall message to align with business interests.
In conclusion, while the article presents factual information about Chile's salmon farming industry, it selectively emphasizes positive outcomes while downplaying significant environmental concerns. This approach can lead to a misleading perception of the industry's overall impact. The reliability of the article is compromised by its lack of balance and potential biases in reporting.