Top Chilean Kelp Fishing Countries

Chilean kelp, primarily referring to species such as *Lessonia nigrescens* and *Macrocystis pyrifera*, is a large brown seaweed native to the cold, nutrient-rich coastal waters of Chile. This kelp is highly valued for its alginate content, which is used in food, pharmaceuticals, and industrial applications. Chile is by far the world’s leading harvester of this kelp, responsible for more than 80% of global wild kelp landings, with the industry providing livelihoods for thousands of artisanal fishers along its extensive Pacific coastline. While smaller amounts of Chilean kelp are also harvested in neighboring Peru and, to a limited extent, in Argentina, no other country matches Chile’s scale of production. The kelp is collected both by hand and by mechanical means, and its sustainable management has become increasingly important due to ecological concerns and the kelp’s role in coastal marine ecosystems.

Data from FAO. 2025. Global Capture Production. In: Fisheries and Aquaculture.