Locals restore Chilean waters damaged by salmon farming

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 28 Oct, 14:03 · Archive

Residents of southern Chile's Guaitecas Archipelago are restoring marine life depleted by intensive salmon farming.

Yesica Fabiana Leviñanco steers her small wooden boat in the Guaitecas Archipelago, a remote region of more than 40 small islands off the coast of southern Chile. She and her partner, Paulo Vera Perez, both in their mid-40s, dive for shellfish, sea urchins, mussels and crabs that Leviñanco sells at the market in Melinka, the main island.

For years, such catches were impossible. Salmon farms in the archipelago discharge hundreds of tons of chemicals and antibiotics into the sea annually. At least 313 farms have been authorised there, according to Chile's National Fisheries and Aquaculture Service. Leviñanco said the farming had destroyed marine life in the area: 'There were no birds, fish or marine animals. A salmon-farming facility had destroyed everything.'

Leviñanco and Vera Perez decided to restore what had been lost. They began bringing in healthy mussels and clams from other areas. Though friends and family initially doubted the effort, the work succeeded over time. 'The fish, birds and other marine animals came back,' said Leviñanco.

Locals restore Chilean waters damaged by salmon farming — Image: Clickorlando

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How it is being reported

In southern Chile, locals push to protect oceans that have been hurt by intensive salmon farmingThe remote Guaitecas Archipelago has more than 40 small islands and is a gateway to Chile’s Patagonia region.Clickorlando · 28 Oct, 13:36
In southern Chile, locals push to protect oceans that have been hurt by intensive salmon farmingThe remote Guaitecas Archipelago has more than 40 small islands and is a gateway to Chile’s Patagonia region.News4Jax · 28 Oct, 13:36

In this story: Yesica Fabiana Leviñanco · Paulo Vera Perez · Guaitecas Archipelago · Chile · Melinka · Sernapesca

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