Chile's Mejillones transforms from coastal paradise to industrial pollution crisis

A particular camping trip with my children haunts me. I wanted to show them the Mejillones of my childhood—the pristine beaches and abundant sea life. We brought a pot and gathered crabs and shellfish, but as we made our way to a nearby beach the staff stopped us. We saw pipes and fences. What appeared to be waste dumping into the sea turned the water into a yellow foam. It looked dangerous and unnatural. My heart broke.

Sergio Andres Vargas Salvatierra
2 days ago

December 13, 2024



Maria Brevis walks near the industrialized zone of Mejillones. | Photo courtesy of Maria Brevis.



MEJILLONES, Chile — Skilled trades once sustained the people of Mejillones, Chile. Today, those crafts disappear. Traditions fade and the skills families once boasted garner little respect. The peaceful people of Mejillones failed to defend their land. Though not born here, I love Mejillones, just like those native to it.

To protect Mejillones from the changes taking place, we shift our focus to institutional action. Along with others, we protest chemical dumping and the blocking of fishermen’s boats. The moment requires more than protest, however. We need to push for change through official channels. While I face persecution, I remain committed to ensuring companies comply with environmental regulations and invest in technology to reduce pollution.



Living in a paradise: Mejillones becomes home

Although my father worked for a shipping company, as children, we never experienced the sea. Where we grew up in Valdivia, we faced poverty, cold, rain, and hunger. Then one day, due to political reasons, my father left Valdivia for the north. He went to Mejillones. My sister and I followed with nothing but the clothes on our backs. At just 10 years old, I arrived in my town at just 10 years old.

We reached Mejillones during the Cojinova [silverside fish] boom. My father immediately began fishing. We possessed no spoons, plates, or even a blanket; we had absolutely nothing. Yet, the moment I set my eyes on Mejillones, it felt like stepping into paradise. Coming from the greenery of the jungle, this new, bright, sunny place felt breathtaking. The white, warm sand beneath my feet left a glorious first impression. Despite the hardships, those early days felt magical.

Living near the pier, many people I met back then remain my dearest friends today. They gifted us tarpaulins, linens, mattresses, and blankets in order to sleep near the shore. Dad fished for cojinova and taught us to provide for ourselves. We soon adjusted to our new life, learning to dive and gather crabs, clams, and oysters.

Every morning, we awoke steps from the water. It felt like paradise; like living a dream. We ate fried fish for breakfast and drank tea. For lunch, we feasted on oysters, sea urchins, clams, and crabs. We ate what we caught. Many of these items became expensive seafood over time.

More:
https://orato.world/2024/12/13/chiles-mejillones-transforms-from-coastal-paradise-to-industrial-pollution-crisis/