Regional patterns and policy implications of ocean health in Chile’s coastal municipalities

Abstract

The health of the world's oceans is a critical aspect of marine policy, as it underpins the sustainability of marine ecosystems and the well-being of coastal communities. However, global assessments of ocean health often lack the spatial resolution necessary for informing local policies and decision-making. This study applies the Ocean Health Index (OHI) at the municipal scale in Chile to provide a more detailed, locally relevant evaluation of ocean health across coastal municipalities. The results reveal significant spatial variation in ocean health scores, which appear to reflect socio-economic, ecological, and geographical differences across municipalities. Municipalities perform well in goals related to coastal protection and carbon sequestration, while challenges persist in fishing opportunities and natural products extraction. This study also introduces a new goal for artisanal fishing equality, addressing the socio-economic barriers that limit access to fishing resources in Chile. The study discusses how existing management strategies can be adjusted to tackle specific challenges faced by municipalities, particularly in areas with low scores. The findings suggest that more targeted approaches in pollution control, marine resource management, and sustainable aquaculture are necessary to improve ocean health at the local level.