Why not move forward with the development of salmon farming?
Salmon farming has had serious environmental impacts in various countries: organic and chemical pollution, massive use of antibiotics, spread of diseases and parasites, introduction of exotic species, and pressure on wild fisheries used to feed salmon. These effects have already been widely documented in Chilean Patagonia and represent a direct threat to the biodiversity of the province of Tierra del Fuego, which is still in a good state of conservation.
The Forum’s position paper also highlights that Tierra del Fuego Argentina does not have the right conditions for large-scale farming. The activity would generate minimal economic benefits, as processing would have to be done in Chile. Instead, it would seriously affect sustainable drivers of the local economy such as nature tourism and responsible fishing, sectors that depend on the preservation of marine ecosystems.
“The price is too high for a minimal benefit, which will not necessarily improve the quality of life of the people of Tierra del Fuego as a whole,” warns Andrea Michelson, regional coordinator of the Forum.
Furthermore, the passage of Law 1,355 was the result of a broad, multisectoral mobilization that included NGOs, scientists, indigenous communities, fishermen, cultural leaders, and chefs. Allowing salmon farming would mean disregarding that social consensus and opening up a conflict with uncertain consequences. “Salmon farming does not have a social license,” say various voices in the Forum.
Finally, authorizing salmon farms in the province would violate international commitments made by Argentina, such as the Escazú Agreement and the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework. It would also violate the principle of environmental non-regression, weakening legal certainty and the country’s leadership in conservation.
@Sergio Salazar, Greenpeace
Forum Recommendations
- Maintain and regulate Law 1,355 to ensure its full enforcement.
- Promote sustainable productive alternatives that strengthen local economies.
- Ensure participatory, transparent, and scientifically based processes.
- Advance the conservation of marine and lake ecosystems for the well-being of present and future generations.
The ban not only reinforces the province’s environmental commitment, but also positions Tierra del Fuego Argentina as a regional benchmark with the potential to promote productive activities that protect biodiversity and landscapes that are highly valued worldwide.
