Re-framing salmon aquaculture in the aftermath of the ISAV crisis in Chile

• Published in: Marine policy 2021-02, Vol.124, p.104358, Article 104358
• Main Authors: Bachmann-Vargas, Pamela, van Koppen, C.S.A. (Kris), Lamers, Machiel
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Aysén region; Discourses; ISA Virus; Patagonia; Transformational processes
• ISSN: 0308-597X; 1872-9460; 1872-9460
• DOI: 10.1016/j.marpol.2020.104358

Globally, aquaculture is expanding rapidly, with salmon becoming one of the most dynamic and fast-growing production systems in the world. Despite its commercial success, Chilean salmon production has navigated through severe economic and sanitary crises; followed by consecutive policy changes. Between 2007 and 2009, the rapid spread and the multiple effects of the Infectious Salmon Anemia virus (ISAV) marked a tipping point in the trajectory of the salmon aquaculture in southern Chile. This paper examines the discursive mechanisms through which the Chilean salmon aquaculture industry is currently being re-framed in the aftermath of the ISAV crisis, with a focus on searching for the emergence of ecosystem-related elements post crisis. The analysis shows that Chilean salmon aquaculture is being re-framed by the reproduction of three main discourses: biosecurity, sustainable protein and The Promise of Patagonia. The paper concludes that despite the staggering effects of the ISAV crisis on the national salmon production and on coastal communities more than a decade ago, new discourses are focused on the legitimization to growth, in the absence of integrated marine ecosystem-related elements, indicating a crucial gap toward environmental sustainability in salmon aquaculture. •After a decade, the ISAV crisis still drives changes in Chilean aquaculture policy.•Three main discourses are re-framing Chilean salmon aquaculture.•Salmon aquaculture discourses coexist with the local (un)willing acceptance.•Key discourses lack of integrated ecosystem-related concepts.•Virus-related crises highlight the importance of science-based policy making.