Chilean delegation of coastal Indigenous people concludes successful participation at Seafood Expo Global in Barcelona.
The delegation brought to the world’s leading seafood industry event a perspective linking sustainability, territories and traditional knowledge, sparking interest and dialogue with global sector stakeholders.
With strong attendance and an active schedule of meetings, the Chilean delegation concluded its participation at Seafood Expo Global / Seafood Processing Global, held from 21 to 23 April at the Gran Vía venue of Fira de Barcelona. The event, organised by Diversified, brought together more than 2,300 companies from 86 countries, consolidating its position as the world’s leading seafood industry gathering.
In this context, the Chilean delegation — made up of leaders from coastal Indigenous peoples, local communities and small-scale fisheries — succeeded in placing a relevant conversation on the table around the relationship between market decisions, sustainability and territories, generating interest among companies, organisations and international stakeholders.
A space to open dialogue
Through an experiential stand, the delegation introduced a different format within the exhibition: a space to pause, sit, and engage in conversation. Inspired by Chile’s coastal territories, the stand invited reflection on ocean governance, highlighting the role of communities in sustaining marine ecosystems.
Over the three days, the space welcomed industry representatives, international buyers, and organisations, who took part in guided conversations on topics such as traceability, territorial impact, and sustainable production models.
From the delegation, Yohana Coñuecar Llancapani highlighted both the interest generated and the challenges that remain:
“We were able to open a conversation that is not always present in these spaces. There is interest in understanding how sustainability connects with what happens in the territories and how this directly impacts the continuity of the industry. But it is also key to move towards greater equality in participation, especially for women and smaller organisations. These large-scale spaces must open up to make visible other economies — smaller-scale, more conscious, and more directly connected to the territory. The challenge is ensuring that these voices are also part of decision-making and can build more meaningful alliances.”
Ingrid Echeverría Huequelef emphasised the need to move towards greater dialogue:
“There is very little direct engagement. I believe the industry should not be afraid or uncertain about engaging with Indigenous peoples or territorial communities. Instead, it should open up to these opportunities for dialogue, because it is the only way to build sustainable relationships and avoid conflict. It is also how we can understand how an activity can generate impacts in the territory, whether intentionally or not.”
Elías Colivoro Chiguay underscored the importance of including communities in decision-making:
“When Indigenous communities are included in any development plan, the entire perspective changes. We inhabit these territories, so it is essential that economic activities consider our active participation in decision-making. That is not only the fairest approach, it is also key to ensuring these processes are sustainable over time.”
Outlook and challenges
The participation of the Chilean delegation not only helped to raise visibility for these perspectives but also enabled the establishment of connections with international stakeholders interested in advancing more sustainable and inclusive models.
In a context shaped by the climate crisis and growing sustainability demands, the experience highlighted the need to integrate communities into decision-making as a key factor for the future of the industry.
With this outcome, the delegation concludes its participation, positioning Chile as a reference point in linking traditional knowledge, sustainability, and productive development, opening new opportunities for collaboration and dialogue at the global level.
Images © Oscar Roche