A year after the death of two humpback whales in Chilean Patagonia, the international organization Greenpeace denounced obstructionism by salmon farming companies in the investigation.
Activists protested the limited judicial progress and criticized that those responsible have not yet been identified, despite the necropsies of the cetaceans revealing injuries consistent with nets and ropes used in the industry.
“These whales traveled thousands of kilometers seeking refuge and found great threats, cages, vessels, and state negligence. A year later, the salmon farming companies still have not provided all the information, and justice has yet to respond,” declared Roxana Núñez, Head of Advocacy at Greenpeace Andino.
Lack of reports and law enforcement
Greenpeace emphasizes that the salmon companies have not provided the complete reports requested and demands that Chile have adequate protocols and expert evaluations for these types of cases.
Since 2023, a law establishes penalties of up to 10 years in prison and large economic fines for affecting protected areas. However, the organization denounces that the legislation is not being applied correctly.
“Today there is a law that punishes those who destroy protected ecosystems, but the lack of action and coordination threatens to turn it into a promise rather than a real tool of justice,” added Núñez.
The affected areas include the Laguna San Rafael National Park and the Kawésqar National Reserve, both environmentally protected territories.
The impacts of salmon farming in Chile
The case of the whales reflects a larger problem: the serious environmental and social impacts of the salmon industry in Chile, especially in vulnerable ecosystems like Patagonia.
Environmental impacts
- Pollution: intensive farming generates organic waste (feces and uneaten food) that consumes oxygen and releases toxic compounds. Added to this are antibiotics, plastics, and abandoned nets.
- Loss of biodiversity: salmon escapes threaten native species by competing for food or preying on them.
- Overproduction: accusations of obsolete technologies and excessive production that generate more waste than ecosystems can support.
Social and cultural impacts
- Conflicts with local communities: the industry alters traditional artisanal fishing practices in areas like Chiloé, Puerto Montt, and Aysén.
- Impact on indigenous peoples: communities like the Kawésqar denounce lack of prior consultation and impact on their ancestral territories.
- Threat to other projects: tourism and recreational activities fear the degradation of pristine ecosystems like the San Pedro River.
Public health concerns
- Excessive use of antibiotics: Chile uses more antibiotics in salmon farming than other countries, generating residues that can reach human consumption.
- Bacterial resistance: the consumption of antibiotic residues in salmon can contribute to the development of resistant bacteria.
Environmental justice at stake
Greenpeace’s complaint highlights the tension between the protection of marine ecosystems and the interests of large companies. The organization insists that Chilean law must be applied rigorously, even when the responsible parties are powerful economic actors.
The death of the humpback whales has become a symbol of the fragility of Patagonia in the face of salmon farming expansion and an urgent call to strengthen oversight, transparency, and environmental justice.
The case of the death of the humpback whales in Patagonia exposes the contradictions of the salmon industry in Chile: while it is promoted as an economic engine, its environmental, social, and health impacts generate conflicts and put unique ecosystems at risk.
The demand from Greenpeace and local communities is clear: enforce the law, ensure justice, and protect the territories that are natural and cultural heritage. The open question is whether the authorities will have the will to do so or if the legislation will remain dead letter in the face of the power of large companies.
