Santiago, Landau 14th August 2023. The Council of Ministers for Sustainability unanimously decided on 11 August to protect the Humboldt Archipelago as "Área Marina Costera Protegida de Múltiples Usos, AMCP-MU" (marine protected area with different uses). Unlike a marine park, where only research and observation activities can be carried out, activities with a low environmental impact such as artisanal fishing and tourism are allowed in an AMCP-MU.
La Serena, Landau July 13, 2023. On Thursday, 6 July, in Chañaral de Aceituno, the Ministries of Environment of the Coquimbo and Atacama regions presented a new proposal for a multi-use marine protected area (AMCP-MU) for the Humboldt Archipelago. The meeting was attended by representatives of municipalities, fishermen and environmental and cultural organisations. The category "multi-use marine protected area" refers to a severely limited, i.e. rather low, protection. Its objectives include the conservation of biodiversity, the protection of ecosystems, endangered marine species and their habitats, and the preservation of the historical and cultural heritage of the marine and coastal communities of this area.
Santiago, Landau 9th July 2023.
In recent years, Chilean and New Zealand researchers Alejandro Simeone, Guillermo Luna, Ursula Ellenberg and Thomas Mattern have conducted studies on the population, breeding success and foraging of Humboldt penguins on behalf of Sphenisco. The extensive and costly research work was financially supported by the Species Conservation Foundation Karlsruhe Zoo, the Friends of Hagenbeck Zoo and Dresden Zoo. The slogan "Research for Survival" has been repeatedly reported on these pages ("Projects Chile", July 2022 and "News", February 2023). Now the researchers present their approach and results in the final report "Investigations of the population and foraging behaviour of Humboldt penguins in Chile": „… During the breeding seasons 2021-2022 and 2022-2023 (October to December), we studied the breeding population of the Humboldt penguin (Spheniscus humboldti) on 10 islands along the coast of north-central Chile. The islands vary greatly in area, from 3 ha (Islote Pájaro Niño) to 516 ha (Chañaral), and in population, from 35 breeding pairs (Islote Ramadas) to 729 breeding pairs (Isla Chachagua). The total population was estimated at 2,511 breeding pairs.
SEA publishes resolution with the technical reasons against the mining project and affirms that it cannot be carried out. SEA publishes the official document with the arguments of the ministerial committee that rejected the project in January 2023.
Alianza Humboldt hopes that this decision will put a definitive end to the company's aspirations.
La Serena 18th May 2023.
With misleading information they want to force the Dominga project on us. Tendentious publications point out that the Court of Appeal gave "support" to the Dominga project even though the Committee of Ministers rejected it.
Landau 25 January 2023. On 18 January, the Committee of Ministers (1) approved 12 appeals against the Dominga mining and port project and unanimously rejected the controversial project.
Before the decision, supporters and critics were very active. The broad alliance Alianza Humboldt invited to the cultural campaign "Music and Protest – No to Dominga" on the Plaza de Armas in La Serena. In the more than 4-hour program, very different artists performed. The performances in front of several hundred people were complemented by speeches by representatives from Chungungo and Punta de Choros, Alianza Humboldt and regional authorities. The speakers reaffirmed their commitment to a marine protection zone and a Humboldt Archipelago free of megaprojects.
La Serena January 18, 2023
Special thanks from Alianza Humboldt Coquimbo Atacama go to the social and environmental organizations, non-governmental organizations, scientists from Chile and to all around the world for their support in protecting the Humboldt Archipelago.
The organizations of Alianza Humboldt Coquimbo-Atacama living in the bays and villages of the communities of La Higuera, Freirina, Coquimbo and La Serena, express sincerest thanks to all the organizations and people who have supported us in more than fifteen years of dedication to the protection of our natural heritage, the Humboldt Archipelago with all its inhabitants.
Chile, 18.01.2023
The Committee of Ministers (1) - Government President Gabriel Boric - unanimously rejected the controversial Dominga mining and port project on Wednesday, Jan. 18, 2023.Santiago, Landau 3rd January 2023. Environment, Health, Undersecretariat of Fisheries, CONAF, Directorate General of Water and the Agriculture and Livestock Service have now outlined their concerns about the mining and port project.The comments are necessary for the Committee of Ministers to vote on whether to approve or reject Andes Iron's plans.