#37: Catalina Cendoya – Patagonia Special (Part 2): The Dark Side of Aquaculture.
Description
This episode is part 2 of a special series recorded as I was travelling across Argentina and Chile, connecting with ocean founders, entrepreneurs, experts and activists.
My guest today is Catalina Cendoya, whom I met when I visited a marine conservation organisation called Por El Mar (literally translates to "For the Sea"). Por El Mar coordinates projects across Patagonia, including, for example, rewilding subantarctic kelp forests in Tierra del Fuego and working on the conservation of a biological corridor off the coast of Argentina that includes 5 major marine species: sharks, orcas, whales, sea lions and dolphins.
Catalina, or Cata, as everybody calls her, specifically is the Director of the Global Salmon Farming Resistance, which is the group behind the campaign that resulted in the ban of open-net salmon farming in Argentina, and it is now (as the name suggests) a global network.
It was a really open and honest conversation, looking at all the different perspectives on the matter. And it was a nice way for me to get out of my bubble and challenge my own assumptions.
So if you’re up for the challenge, please enjoy!
Catalina's Bio:
Catalina feels at home by the coast, close to the sea, surrounded by nature. That deep sense of belonging has shaped her path, leading her to join The Global Salmon Farming Resistance (GSFR) in 2022. In 2023, she became the Director.
She holds a degree in Political Science, driven by a commitment to creating meaningful change in people’s lives. She has worked in government roles supporting people in vulnerable situations and studied in Germany, where she learnt the language and was inspired by a culture deeply rooted in environmental care.
As Director of the GSFR, Catalina leads the alliance’s actions and works with the team to shape strategies that protect the ocean from the harms of industrial salmon farming.
Timestamps:
00:00:00 - Introduction to The Ocean Age and Guest Introduction
00:02:04 - Catalina Cendoya's Background and Journey
00:05:15 - Por el Mar and the Campaign to Ban Salmon Farming in Argentina
00:10:06 - What Is Open Net Salmon Farming?
00:12:58 - Environmental Impacts: Pollution, Disease, and Escapes
00:21:12 - Social and Economic Challenges for Local Communities
00:27:05 - Consumer Awareness and Norway's Marketing Success
00:31:00 - Can Salmon Farming Be Made Sustainable?
00:42:49 - Economic Arguments: Norway, Chile, and Tourism
00:49:10 - The Problem with Regulation and Certification Schemes
00:58:06 - Salmon vs Other Protein Sources: A Comparison
01:04:36 - Alternative Ocean Economies and Other Fish Species
01:06:12 - Global Movement: Key Victories and Milestones
01:09:48 - The Power of Global Collaboration with Local Solutions
01:13:45 - Vision for the Future and Resources to Learn More
Useful Links & Resources:
Catalina Cendoya on LinkedIn
The Global Salmon Farming Resistance (GSFR): Website, LinkedIn
Get in touch with The Ocean Age's host Fed DeGobbi on LinkedIn, X or by emailing directly at fed@oceanage.co
The Ocean Age Podcast is produced by Charlotte Raffo and edited by Nebojsa Lešević. Sarah Carpenter and Giulia Leanza are our research assistants.
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