In a decision that worries environmentalists, the Legislature of Tierra del Fuego modified the Salmoniculture Law No. 1355 and enabled the introduction of salmon in the province’s rivers and lakes.
This decision generated an immediate rejection from Greenpeace, which described the measure as “a new environmental setback in Argentina.”
Until now, the law enacted in 2021 prohibited the installation of any type of farming and salmon production in the marine waters and lakes of Tierra del Fuego.
Now, the prohibition is specifically limited to the waters of the Beagle Channel.
This means that salmoniculture will now be allowed in other areas of Tierra del Fuego outside that channel.
Greenpeace warned about the environmental risks of salmoniculture in Tierra del Fuego
“What once set a historical precedent in environmental matters for Argentina, today opens a new chapter of environmental regression,” said Matías Arrigazzi, biodiversity specialist at Greenpeace.
The expert added that “evidence has shown that in areas where salmonids are not native and there are ecosystems of high value and fragility like the Argentine Sea, there are serious environmental impacts that cannot be avoided.”
Therefore, salmoniculture in Tierra del Fuego represents a significant risk of pollution for marine ecosystems, according to the environmental organization.
The documented impacts of salmon farming
Various articles and scientific research have documented the impacts of salmon farming.
In particular, these are mainly associated with the direct impact on the marine ecosystem.
A recent and nearby example is the environmental crisis experienced by Chile, the second-largest salmon producer in the world, due to this.
This clearly demonstrated how salmoniculture aggressively affects the environment.
The main environmental damages include:
- Pollution of waters
- Potential development of harmful algal blooms (phenomenon known as red tide)
- Introduction of an exotic species that will cause imbalance and loss of native fauna
- Affectation of sensitive ecosystems such as seagrasses and large tide bays
- Impact on artisanal fishing and nature tourism
Many of these damages take decades to be repaired and can even be irreversible.
Conservationists’ alert over the violation of legal principles
In line with Greenpeace, the Forum for the Conservation of the Patagonian Sea and Areas of Influence, which brings together more than 30 organizations in the region, also denounced the relaxation of the norm.
They pointed out that the decision constitutes an environmental regression with profound implications.
“The modification of Law No. 1.355 implied a violation of the principle of non-regression in environmental matters,” highlighted the Foundation for Environment and Natural Resources (FARN).
The organization added that the measure implies “a breach of the Escazú Agreement.”
It should be noted that the latter “requires binding standards in access to information, public participation, and the development of environmental policies.”
Francisco Viddi, from the Melimoyu Foundation in Chile, pointed out that “the waters of the Atlantic coast of Tierra del Fuego have tremendously significant tide amplitudes, exposure to intense waves, and important currents.”
These conditions “make it technically unfeasible, or very costly, to install and develop salmon and trout farming systems in marine farms,” explained the expert.
For all these reasons, the Forum asked the Fuegian authorities to listen to the voice of the citizens, science, and nature.
The aim is to abandon projects that conflict with the Fuegian economy, culture, and identity.
