Fighting for Argentina’s Underwater Forests and Fishermen
Argentina’s kelp forests remain among the world’s most pristine, representing 30% of the current global total. These underwater forests are an essential ecological and economic resource for coastal communities in the region. Native to Argentina, giant kelp protects marine biodiversity, providing habitat for an array of organisms, including the country’s high-value southern king crab and squid fisheries.
In addition to warming waters, pollution, and disease, a surge of overharvesting of wild kelp is threatening local ecosystems and livelihoods in neighboring regions due to increasing global demand for kelp. In response to this crisis, Argentina-based grassroots marine conservation organization Por el Mar is working to safeguard these forests and find ways for the region to get ahead of the climate curve. Por el Mar is championing regenerative ocean farming as a sustainable alternative to wild harvesting while providing artisanal fishermen in the area with new economic opportunities.
Since 2022, Por el Mar has been at the forefront of protecting and restoring the oceans, playing a pivotal role in establishing Argentina’s first two national Marine Protected Areas and passing legislation to ban open-net salmon farming. “Better to prevent than to cure,” says Por el Mar Founder and Executive Director Martina “Martu” Sasso. Por el Mar has set out to protect the vital underwater kelp ecosystems from the destructive impacts of wild harvesting through an interdisciplinary approach integrating science, advocacy, community stewardship, activism, and storytelling.
“What we’re witnessing with underwater deforestation mirrors what happened on land in the 90s,” says Martu. “Companies would bring in machines and strip whole forests down to the roots. Now, the same destruction is happening underwater.” The demand for kelp is increasing at a rate of over 6% annually as markets for biostimulants, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, and more continue to grow. Faced with the threat of commercial harvesting in Argentina’s previously untouched kelp forests, Por el Mar launched its campaign to end underwater deforestation with two primary goals: 1) raise local awareness about underwater deforestation, and 2) advocate for legislation that would ban wild harvesting and promote regenerative ocean farming as a solution.
Martu began by negotiating with municipal leadership in the coastal Argentine cities who were considering wild kelp harvesting due to a spike in global demand. Earlier this year, the government officials agreed to pause wild kelp harvesting permits while Por el Mar demonstrates a sustainable and economically viable alternative model over the next two years.
Since then, Por el Mar has hosted numerous local events to educate coastal residents about the importance of their “blue forests” and drum up community buy-in to support the prevention of wild kelp clearcutting. Thanks to their advocacy, coastal communities in the provinces of Santa Cruz and Tierra del Fuego have expressed municipal interest in protecting the kelp forests, and Por el Mar is working with government officials to draft legislation to back this interest. With the goal of demonstrating the efficacy of regenerative ocean farming as a way forward, Por el Mar has now built the first kelp nursery in Argentina and will soon begin outplanting efforts.
In recent years, the decline of artisanal fishing in Argentina has put strains on coastal communities in a time of heightened economic struggle for the country. Por el Mar has been working alongside local fishermen as they strive to adapt regenerative ocean farming practices to reflect the needs and interests of rural coastal communities in the region. “Local fishermen are not just part of the story, they are writing the story,” says Martu. “It is not just about including local fishermen, it’s about designing solutions with them and letting them take the lead.”
GreenWave is excited to see organizations like Por el Mar adopting regenerative ocean farming as a solution that benefits both people and the planet in the era of climate change. This proactive approach flips the script on extractive industrial practices and equips local fishermen with skills to forge resilient futures.