The rejection of salmon farms from the Beagle Channel to Buenos Aires, with a banner displaying the message “No to Salmon Farms in the Argentine Sea” surprised passersby this week in front of the Norwegian Embassy in Buenos Aires.
The protest, which was replicated near the Obelisk, took place in the context of a visit by a Norwegian delegation to our country, whose objective is to strengthen productive ties, including the controversial interest in developing salmon farming in Tierra del Fuego.
A conflict that persists over time
Resistance to this industry is not new; it began in early 2018, when a cooperation agreement was signed between the Norwegian Crown, the national government, and the province to implement salmon farming in cages in the sea.
Since that time, the Fuegian community —composed of residents, scientists, and specialists— has expressed opposition due to the severe social, environmental, and economic impacts that this model generates.
Social stance and legal action
Despite the modification of the Law 1355 that would enable the industry on the Atlantic Coast, the social stance remains firm:
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Territorial presence: In Ushuaia, it is common to find proclamations against salmon farming in shop windows and tourist areas.
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Legal action: Recently, various environmental organizations announced the filing of a collective injunction and new legal actions to protect the maritime heritage of Tierra del Fuego.
The struggle of the inhabitants of the Beagle Channel now resonates in the heart of Buenos Aires, making it clear that, even years later, Argentine society maintains its firm rejection of a productive model considered a threat to the integrity of its marine ecosystems.
