#37: Catalina Cendoya (Por El Mar) – Patagonia Special 2/3 – The Dark Side of Aquaculture.

<p>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. <br /><br />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. <br /><br />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.  <br /><br />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.<br /><br />So if you’re up for the challenge, please enjoy!<br /><br /><b>Catalina's Bio:</b><br /><br />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.</p><p>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.</p><p>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.</p><p><br /><b>Timestamps:</b></p><p>00:00:00 - Introduction to The Ocean Age and Guest Introduction</p><p>00:02:04 - Catalina Cendoya's Background and Journey</p><p>00:05:15 - Por el Mar and the Campaign to Ban Salmon Farming in Argentina</p><p>00:10:06 - What Is Open Net Salmon Farming?</p><p>00:12:58 - Environmental Impacts: Pollution, Disease, and Escapes</p><p>00:21:12 - Social and Economic Challenges for Local Communities</p><p>00:27:05 - Consumer Awareness and Norway's Marketing Success</p><p>00:31:00 - Can Salmon Farming