Story

The Human Cost of Chile's Dwindling Marine Resources

July 12, 2013 | Pulitzer Center
By
Fernando Rodriguez, for the Pulitzer Center

Daniel Quinan is indigenous Lafkenche, a group that resides primarily on the south central coast of Chile. Here, he looks out the window of his home to check the weather to determine whether sailing will be possible for his small boat or any other from the fishing village of Bonifacio. Image by Fernando Rodriguez. Chile, 2013.

Jose Quinan is Daniel’s brother. He holds up a white snake mackerel, the only fish caught after a long day at sea. The Lafkenche say each outing yields smaller returns. Image by Fernando Rodriguez. Chile, 2013.

Daniel Quinan heads out to sea on a beautiful morning in early January, hoping for luck that will not come. Image by Fernando Rodriguez. Chile, 2013.

In the foreground, Jose Apellido relying on experience, recognizes a bank of fish in the distance. In the background Miguel Benavida guides the boat, known as a panga. Image by Fernando Rodriguez. Chile, 2013.

Quinan’s boat sails amid rough seas and strong winds, and still no catch. Image by Fernando Rodriguez. Chile, 2013.

In the humble home of Daniel Quinan, his daughter and grandchildren wait for the patriarch, hoping he will arrive with a bounty of fish. Image by Fernando Rodriguez. Chile, 2013.

Lafkenche, an indigneous groups living primarily on the south central coast of Chile, stretch their nets. Image by Fernando Rodriguez. Chile, 2013.

From his panga, Miguel Benavides tries his luck with a fishing line – he will have none. Image by Fernando Rodriguez. Chile, 2013.

Daniel Quinan stops to greet fellow artisans. Image by Fernando Rodriguez. Chile, 2013.

After six hours of back-breaking work at sea, Daniel Quinan caught a single Chilean croaker. Image by Fernando Rodriguez. Chile, 2013.

Quinan carried a 7 kilogram Chilean croaker to nearby seaside resorts to sell at a price much lower than market value. Image by Fernando Rodriguez. Chile, 2013.

Quinan frequently reads the bible. Image by Fernando Rodriguez. Chile, 2013.

Quinan’s catch, a Chilean croaker, laid out on a table of a coastal restaurant near Valdivia. Image by Fernando Rodriguez. Chile, 2013.

Daniel Quinan and a friend share breakfast before heading out to sea. Image by Fernando Rodriguez. Chile, 2013.

White snake mackerel, flayed and hung out to dry on Quinan’s patio. Image by Fernando Rodriguez. Chile, 2013.

As Chile's fish populations decline, an indigenous group known as the Lafkenche struggles to survive. Daniel Quinan and his brother Jose are Lafkenche. They spend long days out at sea with very little reward. Each outing seems to bring back fewer fish as unchecked fishing has depleted the once bountiful waters. The Chilean government passed a fishery law in December that gave four conglomerates the largest share of the most profitable fish. Artisan fishermen are now fighting against these laws as the ocean's once-abundant resources continue to disappear at an alarming rate.