The Turbulent Waters of Salmon Farming in Chile
The sea is tranquil as dusk envelops Tarsicio Antezana’s home island of Quinchao, located in the picturesque southern region of Chile. In the distance, majestic, snow-capped volcanoes take on a rich violet hue as the sun sinks below the horizon. It’s a breathtaking view — yet there is one significant concern that weighs heavily on Mr. Antezana, a retired oceanographer.
Not far from the shore, a line of small, rectangular structures floats on the water’s surface, gently swaying with the rhythmic tide. These installations may appear unremarkable at first glance, but Mr. Antezana is acutely aware of the reality beneath the waves: a sprawling salmon farm. Below the surface, tightly packed net cages are home to thousands of salmon, creating a bustling underwater environment.
Such farms are commonplace in the Los Lagos region, the epicenter of aquaculture in Chile. The South American nation has emerged as the leading exporter of farmed salmon to the United States. However, these popular fish are not indigenous to this region, and a chorus of environmentalists and activists have long raised alarms about the detrimental impact these farms have on Chilean ecosystems and native wildlife.
The large-scale farming of salmon in Chile dates back to the 1970s. During that time, a young scientist named Mr. Antezana was called upon to assess the feasibility of salmon aquaculture. He recommended that the government conduct baseline studies while remaining vigilant regarding potential ecological and health risks associated with the practice.
Now, more than four decades later, Mr. Antezana has witnessed the salmon farming industry evolve into one of the world’s premier producers of farmed salmon. In the previous year alone, farmed salmon represented Chile’s second-largest export, raking in a staggering $6.5 billion in revenue.
This transformation is an economic triumph, largely fueled by U.S. consumers who are consuming more Chilean salmon than ever before; 2022 marked a record-breaking year for salmon exports, as reported by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. A substantial portion of the farmed salmon enjoyed in the United States is sourced from international waters, with nearly half originating from the stunning fjords of Chile.
