Hello, FAST!

As a team, we are thrilled to introduce you to the website of our Aquatic Welfare program—an initiative dedicated to raising awareness about the challenges faced by aquatic animals.

Our primary focus is the new Aquaculture Law. As some of you may know, the presidential message that will initiate this bill began to take shape last year, drafted by lawyers from the Undersecretariat of Fisheries and Aquaculture. From day one, we have been actively engaged in the process, participating in government-led workshops across different regions, preparing reports for the public participation process, and holding meetings with the project’s drafters.

There is still a long road ahead, particularly with the legislative process, which will take place in Congress throughout 2025 and could potentially extend into 2026.

This new law presents many key issues to explore, from defining the fundamental principles of animal welfare that should be regulated, to the challenge of determining how broad or specific the President will choose to make the bill. Additionally, it raises the question of potential bans on new farmed species, such as octopuses—an emerging species in Chile's aquaculture industry.

We invite you to learn more, support this initiative, and share your feedback. We also hope that our efforts serve as a valuable resource for other organizations joining this crucial legal process that Chile will face in the coming years.

Of course, we are proud members of the Aquatic Animal Alliance, reinforcing our commitment to the global protection of aquatic animals. We also deeply appreciate that Igualdad Animal México led our work on this topic throughout the past year.

Thank you for your interest and dedication to defending aquatic animals! 🌊🐟

Marysabel Pavez

Director

Fundación Derecho y Defensa Animal (DYDAnimal Chile or DYDA)