The harvest of algae grew in strength in Chile during the time of the military rule because demand from abroad for this raw material, which is used for the production of alginates and agar-agar. Thousands of people were displaced from zones where the seaweed grew till the near total depletion of this natural resource. Confronted with fierce competition, the fishermen organised themselves.

An association of six co-operatives started the export of algae to Japan in 1970. Since there was no embargo on the product, the increase in demand in 1984 attracted a large number of traders and industrialists to this activity. There was a surge of competition for the harvest, purchase and sale of the seaweed. The solution to this problem came to the members of the organisation following discussions between representatives of the different groups. They created a sponsorship commission to draw up a list of people working in the cultivation of algae. All those aged between 18 and 60 had the right to work and the duty of participating in the work of collecting, drying and sale of the algae with specialised groups.

A regulation adopted by the Assembly chose students of over 18 years of age who had the right to a scholarship and elders of over 60 years of age who had the right to a pension. Sanctions were also defined for irresponsible members. The revenue was extremely good and it transformed the economic and social life of the people, a sort of gold-digging community, while the price of algae was maintained at a high level, thus increasing the buying power of the families.

José Valenzuela, Conapach-Cedipac

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