Abstract

Chinook salmon has become a biological invasion in rivers of southern Chile, affecting environment predating and competing with native spices. Its socioeconomic appreciation is complex, due to its high economic, tourist and culinary value. The lack of information and rules regarding to the exploitation of the resource of this resource of common use, by tourism and artisanal fishermen and by the Chilean regulatory framework, has made its presence as an invasive species, its economic importance, and its nature as a resource invisible commonly used. Therefore, this research analyzes the social construction of salmonids by the different interest groups and their interaction with the legal situation in which this species has been. It focuses on a case study, the artisanal fishermen of La Barra de Toltén, who made fishing of Chinook (until recently illegal) their main economic activity, developing local governance and also pressing for its legalization. This case reflects the complex relationship between nature, society and governance issues.