In the last session of the year, a historic regulation in the field was approved: the protection of the **underwater forests of Tierra del Fuego**. It was done by the provincial legislature through a law.
This is the “General Guidelines Law for the conservation and sustainable management of marine forests of macroalgae formed by the species Macrocystis pyrifera”. The project was presented by the legislator **Federico Sciurano**.
The law promotes a productive alternative to develop **algaculture sustainably**. At the same time, it involves the protection of these [native ecosystems](https://noticiasambientales.com/medio-ambiente/estos-son-los-ecosistemas-protegidos-mas-diversos-de-buenos-aires/) and scientific research.
### Underwater forests of Tierra del Fuego, protected
“I live with great enthusiasm the decision just made by the Chamber because one of the reasons why I decided to live in Tierra del Fuego was because of its natural heritage,” Sciurano began his speech.
“This law contemplates the fact that Tierra del Fuego is given the possibility, preserving its native resource, to **develop a resource** through planting,” he explained.
In that line, he detailed how the ecosystem is. “A forest of macroalgae allows, among other things, species like the **king crab and the spider crab to survive**, to reproduce,” he pointed out.
“That, in addition, allows us to have an economic and **gastronomic resource that is required and demanded** by the whole world,” Sciurano argued.
Although for many, the cachiyuyo forests go unnoticed, they function as breeding areas, nurseries, or spawning grounds. This promotes the **abundance of a large number of species** that interact with the Fuegian community both in restaurants and in tourist proposals.
The legislator made a special thanks to Laura Colazo, president of the Natural Resources Committee; to the Fisheries Secretariat, to CADIC – Conicet; and to the Por el Mar Foundation.
### Protecting sustainable development
The strong point of the law aims to promote the sustainable development of the ecosystem through the cultivation of **Macrocystis pyrifera**. “Develop the activity and cultivation technique with an ecosystemic approach,” as it is written.
It is about **promoting an alternative production system** to extraction that allows the resource to be sustainable over time.
Cultivation does not involve direct extraction, so it guarantees that the available resource is not **overexploited**. This type of technique is being carried out in different places around the world and, for example, it is being researched in the province of **Santa Cruz**.
[Watch the video here!](https://youtu.be/euXZnZ6XVKU?si=OEsosfUU_0hwW5pT)
The law is in line with a **global request for the protection of macroalgae**. In a recent publication in the scientific journal *Science*, it was warned, precisely, about the global situation of these ecosystems. “Algal forests support high biodiversity and ecosystem services.”
They are subject to serious threats, such as “marine heatwaves, underwater deforestation, pollution, and overfishing are compromising their ability to provide billions of dollars in ecosystem services, along with cultural and social benefits for coastal communities.”
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