Argentina Bans Salmon Farming In World First

Experts say the “watershed” ban could signal a turning tide against global salmon farming and its ‘floating cages’, which have destroyed coastal ecosystems and harmed wildlife populations.

Local activists protesting against salmon farming. Credit: Rewilding Argentina

Argentina has become the first country in the world to ban salmon farming.

Tierra del Fuego, the country’s southernmost province, has faced demonstrations and campaigns against salmon farming by locals and activists who are concerned about its impact on the environment and wildlife. 

Now, a new bill introduced by the province has banned salmon farming in open-net pens. With Tierra del Fuego’s Beagle Channel the only area in Argentina where such farming takes place, the bill effectively acts as a country-wide ban, reports the Buenos Aires Times. 

Argentina’s decision comes as intensive salmon farming faces growing criticism around the world for its environmental impact and animal welfare concerns. 

The use of open-net farms, where salmon are kept in so-called “floating cages”, has grown significantly in the last few decades, with the industry particularly prominent in Norway, Canada, Chile, and Scotland.

But all of those four countries are now facing devastating environmental issues caused by the open-net farms, including outbreaks of sea lice infections and toxic algae blooms. Experts say the industry’s environmental impact has destroyed coastal ecosystems, and killed millions of farmed fish and wildlife. 

“The Argentinians, intensely aware of what an environmental disaster salmon farming has been in other countries, have moved decisively to prevent a similar disaster in their coastal waters”, Andrew Graham-Stewart, director of Salmon and Trout Conservation Scotland, told The Independent. “In stark contrast the Scottish government, which has for decades facilitated an industry that has destroyed coastal ecosystems and decimated wild fish stocks, is hellbent on enabling open cage salmon farming to expand exponentially.”

Campaigners around the world are therefore welcoming Argentina's move as a first step towards outlawing the intensive fish farms on a global scale. 

“The tide is now turning against this toxic industry”, says Don Staniford, head of the Global Alliance Against Industrial Aquaculture. “This is a watershed victory in Argentina which will make waves around the world. A global ban on open net cage salmon farming can help safeguard the health of our global ocean and the health of our children for generations to come.” 

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