The Argentine archipelago province of Tierra del Fuego approved a bill this week banning salmon farming. The practice was banned due to concerns about its sustainability.
The decision follows the proposal to start such farms in the Beagle Channel, precisely in that area. According to MercoPressFurthermore, it is the only area where Argentina could feasibly farm salmon. Lawmakers unanimously approved the bill to ban this practice, and their decision is the first of its kind in the world.
It is not a case that Estefania González of Greenpeace declared that “Argentina is making history”.
No salmon farms
The choice, courageous, is also very wise. When an industry of this type is active it is not easy to scale it back, its impact on the environment of the areas in which it is located is enormous, and there are also many accusations of illegality and permanent damage to the ecosystem.
In the eyes of the world, Argentina manages to take a huge step towards protecting the ecosystem and also its culture.
Estefania González, Greenpeace
Why this ban?
Salmon farming has long attracted harsh criticism for its impact on the planet and animal welfare. Fish farms spread parasites such as sea lice but also wild fish. To combat this phenomenon, farmers use antibiotics: the antibiotics, in turn, enter the surrounding waters.
Result? It increases resistance to antibiotics, both in marine life and in fish consumers.
There is no right way to do a wrong thing, that's the truth. And salmon, especially the one they wanted to start farming in Argentina, is not a species naturally present in that area.
The quantity of chemicals and antibiotics necessary for their breeding makes it impossible to carry out this activity without serious environmental consequences.
The choice seems obvious, right?
