Guardian investigation raises concerns over labour safety and antibiotic use in Chilean salmon farming.
A new investigation by The Guardian has highlighted allegations of dangerous labour conditions, high antibiotic use and environmental impacts in Chile’s salmon sector, the world’s second-largest producer and the leading supplier to the US.
The report documents a series of fatal accidents involving divers and other sea-based workers, citing NGO Ecoceanos figures that 83 workers have died in the industry between 2013 and 2025. By comparison, Norway has reported three industry deaths over 34 years. The article also details one 2019 fatality at a farm in Puerto Natales that led to fines for safety violations.
Chile’s state labour inspectorate is described as lacking the capacity to monitor remote sites, many of which require long sea journeys to reach.
On production practices, the investigation notes that Chilean farms used 351 tonnes of antibiotics in 2024, significantly higher than Norway, which reported “virtually none”. Environmental groups and local communities interviewed allege declines in wild species, river pollution in freshwater production areas and impacts on indigenous cultural sites.
The article states that Chilean government agencies, industry association SalmonChile and the companies referenced were approached for comment but had not responded at publication.
For buyers in the US, EU and Asia, the reporting is likely to renew scrutiny of the sector’s labour and environmental standards.
