Ricardo García, Director of SalmonChile and Vice President of Salmones Camanchaca, has openly criticized certain NGOs for prioritizing ideology over constructive dialogue with the salmon farming industry.
In a letter to the editor published in El Mercurio, García argued that many NGOs appear to be dominated by ideological positions that ignore the potential for progress in the salmon farming industry.
“Certain NGOs launch campaigns to expel the salmon industry from national parks and reserves, without giving a place to this strategic productive sector for the south of Chile, making their desire to eliminate production transparent. In this way, they exclude themselves from alternative forms that combine different interests,” said the director.
“The industry operates solely in Areas Suitable for Aquaculture, defined and approved by the State. These regions were designated long before they were considered protected. It’s a conflict of legitimate interests, but the solution cannot be the elimination of the one that arrived first,” García wrote.
He further stated that NGOs are aware of the industry’s conciliatory proposals, which seek to balance progress with marine environmental protection. However, García argued, “They are subjugated by ideology and impermeable to the aspirations for progress that our country holds.”
Economic and Environmental Impact
García emphasized the importance of the salmon industry, highlighting its role in driving development in six regions of southern Chile for over three decades. He pointed out that the sector employs more than 86,000 workers and supports over 4,000 small and medium-sized enterprises, contributing to the decentralization of the country.
While acknowledging that the industry is not environmentally perfect, García stressed that it has made measurable advances in reducing its impact. He also highlighted efforts to relocate and consolidate operations to improve both productivity and environmental outcomes, lamenting that despite 13 years of efforts, the government has been slow to act.
