Paper short abstract:

This work presents findings from recent interdisciplinary research, involving anthropology and marine biology, with and by Kawésqar communities on their claims for cultural, environmental and territorial rights in relation to Parque Nacional Kawésqar and the expansion of the salmon farming industry.

Paper long abstract:

This paper presents the processes and findings of recent interdisciplinary research, involving anthropology and marine biology, carried out with and by a group of Kawésqar communities that have taken a stand for the protection of the sea through a series of actions, the Comunidades Kawésqar por la Defensa del Mar, located in western coastal Patagonia, Chile. We aim to summarize the methodological approaches and experiences in order to contextualize the discussion and introduce key issues that are relevant to understand cultural, political and environmental claims.

In particular, the recent establishment of the Parque Nacional Kawésqar reveals a complex situation. Despite being seen nationally as an accomplishment, the communities perceive this initiative as insufficient for multiple reasons, such as the fragmentation of the categorization, which leaves the waters unprotected as a Reserva Nacional and not a Parque Nacional, and the lack of due consideration of Kawésqar participation in these processes. Further, the growth and expansion of the salmon farming industry intensifies and sustains challenges on conservation matters. These elements are presented in strong relation to violent historical processes of indigenous dispossession from the late 19th century and well into the 20th century, that have shaped the contemporary sociocultural contexts, and in a way, are seen as a repetition of state-business practices.

In the current political scenario, these Kawésqar communities, through organizing and gaining public visibility of their struggles and committed leadership, have unfolded different strategies, both formal and informal, in order to pursue their cultural, environmental and territorial views and interests.