Work

Territorial inequalities in Chilean coastal caletas: A composite index approach

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: In Chile, 474 artisanal fishing villages ( caletas ) face marked territorial inequalities. Recent social and environmental transformations have modified their development conditions. This study generates an inequality map using the Sustainable Development Index for Caletas (SDIC), a tool designed to prioritize public policy interventions. The SDIC integrates four main dimensions: territorial infrastructure, social conditions, economic conditions, and environmental considerations. Indicator weights are calculated using entropy and subsequently discretized to facilitate analysis. We analyze the distributions of dimensions and perform thematic mapping and local spatial autocorrelation analysis to identify territorial patterns, using publicly available data. Results reveal that 62% of caletas exhibit low or medium-low development, concentrated in the northern and southern zones. Spatial clusters of high development were identified in urban areas, while rural zones, especially Chiloé, show concentrations of low development. The largest gaps are observed in infrastructure and economic capacity, evidencing the need for differentiated interventions according to specific territorial contexts.

Source: Marine Policy

DOI: 10.1016/j.marpol.2026.107178

Authors: Andres Vallone, Coro Chasco, Marcelo Olivares-Arenas

Institutions: Universidad Católica del Norte, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid

Language: English

Topic: Coastal and Marine Management

Subfield: Management, Monitoring, Policy and Law

Field: Environmental Science

Domain: Physical Sciences

SDGs: Reduced inequalities, Sustainable cities and communities

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $4,260