Cuidando la Patagonia Azul: Practicas y estrategias de los pueblos originarios para curar las zonas marinas del sur de Chile

The Chilean Blue Patagonia is an essential space for marine life and a global center of the aquaculture industry. Over the last few years, several socio-environmental crises and conflicts have marked its development, highlighting the impacts of salmon farming on marine habitats and the livelihoods of local communities. To face this critical scenario, the indigenous peoples have created the Indigenous Marine Areas (ECMPO), a protection figure which safeguards their livelihoods and preserves the ecosystems that sustain them. Based on ethnographic information, the work analyzes care practices and strategies of indigenous peoples, the vital paths of abundance, health and illness of the livelihoods, the other-than-human agencies' roles in the production of care narratives and behaviors, and the territorial dynamics of the ECMPOs.

Automated summary

The Chilean Blue Patagonia is a crucial marine habitat and a global hub for the aquaculture industry. However, socio-environmental crises and conflicts have recently arisen, underscoring the impact of salmon farming on marine ecosystems and local communities. To address this, indigenous peoples have established Indigenous Marine Areas (ECMPO) to protect their livelihoods and preserve the ecosystems that sustain them. This study examines the care practices, strategies, and territorial dynamics of the ECMPOs, as well as the role of non-human entities in shaping care narratives and behaviors.