It is with deep regret that we receive the news of the death of former Chilean president Sebastián Piñera.
It is regrettable to dismiss such a prominent figure committed to the well-being of our brother country.
Beyond his political beliefs and his government management, it is crucial to highlight Piñera's leadership in matters related to marine conservation, which shows us that environmental protection goes beyond political divisions.
If conservation policy aims to care for common spaces for the well-being of the local community and humanity in general, then it is good policy.
Piñera demonstrated a genuine interest in the sea and marine conservation, contributing significantly to the protection of Chilean and Antarctic marine biodiversity.
During his first term in 2010, he led the creation of the first marine protected area in the Chilean sea, Motu Motiro Hiva, on the Salas and Gómez islands, in collaboration with organizations such as Oceana and Pristine Seas (National Geographic) along with several Chilean universities.
He recognized at that time the importance of this area as a refuge for millions of migratory birds and hundreds of species of fish and invertebrates unique to those waters.
During his second term, Piñera advanced his work and reinforced his commitment to conservation, ratifying Chile's goal of protecting 30% of its ocean by 2030.
It also highlights its particular interest in safeguarding Antarctica, clearly supporting the joint proposal of Argentina and Chile to establish a marine protected area in the Antarctic Peninsula region.
In 2019, Piñera supported a binational expedition, in which Argentine and Chilean scientists participated, organized by Pristine Seas (National Geographic) with the support of the Chilean Navy.
During this expedition, the then president not only visited the OPV expedition ship Marinero Fuentealba, but also participated in the documentary that highlighted the need to protect that area.
The proposal to create a marine protected area on the Antarctic Peninsula, led by Argentina and Chile, continues to be the subject of debate in the Convention on the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources (CCAMLR).
In 2020, Piñera established Chile's National Antarctic Policy with the aim of implementing concrete actions for scientific development, cooperation and preservation of the marine environment in this region.
The former president not only recognized the importance of working to protect the oceans, but also agreed on the need to address the effects of climate change.
The news of his death deeply saddens both sides of the Cordillera and urges us to recognize his valuable contribution to the protection of the seas, underlining the importance of his marine conservation policy.
Rodolfo Werner and Mariano Aguas are members of the Antarctic and Southern Ocean Coalition and Agenda Antártica.