Patricia Troncoso

A Chilean marine biologist who pioneered ocean conservation efforts in the Humboldt Current ecosystem and inspired global fisheries reforms.

Patricia Troncoso (b. 1968) is a Chilean marine ecologist whose research on Humboldt Current ecosystems transformed fisheries management practices. Her groundbreaking 1990s studies revealed how overfishing of jack mackerel endangered entire marine food webs, leading to the 2003 creation of Chile's first marine protected areas. As director of the University of Chile's Oceanography Institute, she developed satellite tracking methods to monitor fish stocks, now used by the FAO. Her advocacy for community-based fisheries led to the 2018 "Law for the Sustainable Use of Marine Resources", reducing illegal fishing by 40%. Troncoso's work extends to educating coastal communities through her foundation, which trains fishers in sustainable practices. Her 2020 book "Océanos en Peligro" became a regional bestseller, and she advised the 2022 Netflix documentary "The Last Ocean". By merging science with grassroots action, she protects ecosystems vital to 20 million South Americans' livelihoods.