The Environmental Impact Assessment in Aquaculture Projects in Chile: A Retrospective and Prospective Review Considering Cultural Aspects

In recent years, social and environmental conflicts concerning the aquaculture sector have increased. These arise from different perception that individuals, collectives, private companies State about potential impacts of on environment quality life. The Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) projects in Chile is main administrative tool for decision-making, allowing identify, predict, propose preventive measures to mitigate negative consequences this growing sector. This article analyzes performance EIA between 1994 2019. Of 5323 entering Chilean during period, system-performance analysis selected 71 most representative. For a reliable comparative analysis, were first classified accordance with active regulation within period. Subsequently, 14 indicators similarities—by means principal coordinate analysis—were explored. Significant differences third (SD40) two (SD30 SD95) regulations observed. Based these results considering demands local communities leaders (who request continuous articulations among technical areas, tools, policies increase sustainability standards aquaculture), four opportunities improving are proposed: incorporation synergistic cumulative effects, adaptation climate change, development general methodology, early citizen participation (in having charge) increasing confidence EIA. introduced methodology enables comparisons process regulatory periods using indicators, serving as guidance evaluate aquaculture. can also be used by other producing countries around world.