Chile’s Aquaculture Industry Protests Indigenous Coastal Access Bids

Salmon workers and others in Chile’s aquaculture industry are protesting against bids for Coastal Marine Spaces for Native Peoples (ECMPO) requested by indigenous communities in the Los Lagos region. The protest, held in Puerto Montt, follows a previous march in Quellón and is in response to the potential granting of ECMPO requests. The workers argue that the law granting limited resource access to coastal indigenous communities is being misused and could negatively impact their jobs and activities.

The ECMPO requests, covering vast tracts of sea, have raised concerns among non-indigenous coastal users, including salmon farmers, who believe the applications go against the spirit of the legislation. Leaders of affected workers met with government officials to request the rejection of the ECMPO requests, emphasizing the potential negative impact on the region’s productivity and labor sources. Indigenous chiefs and artisanal fishers also called for clear rules and modifications to existing laws to ensure regional development and harmony among all coastal users.

The opposition to the ECMPO requests highlights the tensions between indigenous rights and economic interests in Chile’s aquaculture industry. The workers fear job losses and disruptions to their activities if the requests are granted, while indigenous communities seek to protect their traditional uses of the coastline. The government faces pressure to balance these competing interests and ensure the common good in the decision-making process regarding the ECMPO requests.

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