underwater deforestation

CHILE & PERU

Two faces of a tragedy

By: Cristian Ascencio Ojeda
& Roberth Orihuela Quequezana

Thousands of people attracted by a surge in seaweed exports to China have rushed to the coasts of Chile and Peru to set up new coastal villages. But China's increasing demand for giant kelp used in the cosmetics and food industries is wiping out the algae, impacting the entire ecosystem of fish, mollusks and crustaceans that live in the forests beneath the sea.

CHILE

Underwater deforestation is mobilizing fishermen and scientists

The seaweed rush has sparked a black market in the underwater forests of giant kelp that grow in Chile’s coastal waters. The overexploitation of kelp forests, the “nurseries” of the sea, is damaging the ocean ecosystem. Scientists and fishermen are looking for ways to sustainably extract the giant kelp and respond to future environmental threats such as climate change. Lab-grown super algae could be part of the solution.
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  • CHILE

    “Kelp forests are shelter, food, protection, and spawning areas for mollusks, fish and crustaceans. They are like buildings for humans, which, if you destroy them, you leave all the inhabitants homeless”

    JULIO VÁSQUEZ, Researcher at the Catholic University of the North

  • CHILE

    “We consume alginate from the moment we get up and use shampoo in the shower to the moment we have a beer at night”

    JULIO VÁSQUEZ, Researcher at the Catholic University of the North

  • PERU

    “Those algae that we send come back in the form of processed products that cost thousands more. They make cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, and even fertilizers”

    SIXTO ROJAS, Leader of artisanal fishermen in the Caravelí

  • PERU

    “We are aiming to stop selling raw material as well as to generate a small industry around algae. And we are already getting customers who are requesting more products and for that we need to grow the magnitude of our crops. Now we must think as a company, to increase profitability”

    JOSÉ ZAPATA, Leader of the Las Brisas Association

Mapa algas en Chile y Perú

PERU

Peru's underwater forests

Chinese demand for seaweed has led to an overharvesting off the coast of Peru and no one seems able to stop it.
CONTINUE

Two faces of a tragedy

Peru and Chile

Thousands of people attracted by a surge in seaweed exports to China have rushed to the coasts of Chile and Peru to set up new coastal villages.

Reportage

Cristian Ascencio Ojeda

Roberth Orihuela Quequezana

Lynne Walker
InquireFirst

General Editor:
Iván Carrillo

Editor / Peru:
Gonzalo Torrico

Photo:
Magaly Visedo-Soriano
Cristian Ascencio Ojeda
Rodrigo Talavera Velarde
Ivan Salcedo Llerena

Web Design:
Miguel Ángel Garnica

Infographics:
Fermín García-Fabila

Translation:
Jessica Valenzuela / Translation to English
Jerusa Rodrigues / Translation to Portuguese

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PUBLISHED: 25-may-2023