Perceptions on neoliberal extractivist practices of the thermoelectric industries in the fishing community of Coronel

Abstract

Introduction: In Chile, the neoliberal extractivist model has favored industries such as thermoelectric plants, generating serious ecological, social, and cultural impacts in coastal communities like Coronel. This system, sustained by privatizing legal frameworks, has led to territorial dispossession, socio-environmental conflicts, and community resistance to the loss of identity and rights.

Objective: To describe the perceptions of artisanal fishers and shoreline harvesters regarding the ecological, social, and cultural impacts of thermoelectric extractivist practices, identifying meanings, impacts, and forms of community resistance.

Methods: A qualitative methodology with a phenomenological approach was used. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with eight people linked to coastal fishing and harvesting, and thematic content analysis was used. The process included open coding, clustering, and triangulation, allowing for a situated understanding of the lived experience.

Results: Three main themes emerged: i) thermoelectric plants as a symbol of plunder and dispossession, ii) the emotional experience of territorial and environmental loss, and iii) the reconstruction of a collective identity based on resistance. The testimonies reflect a deterioration in living conditions, loss of marine biodiversity, emotional impacts, and a breakdown in the sociocultural fabric.

Conclusions: Neoliberal extractivism has produced multidimensional dispossession in Caleta Lo Rojas. In response, the community has developed collective responses based on roots, memory, and environmental justice. There is an urgent need for inclusive public policies that recognize the centrality of the territory as a living space.