ABSTRACT
The recognition of customary rights of coastal area indigenous peoples is critical to ensure their well-being and sustainability in the use of resources. The majority of indigenous peoples in Chile have remained close to their territories, overseeing the conservation of marine resources that are key to their livelihoods and ensuring the protection of the spaces these communities inhabit. Extractive-based development models have resulted in violation of their rights, including through loss of territories, social conflicts, economic problems and cultural impacts. The legal recognition of access to resources and protection of the customary rights of coastal indigenous peoples is key to avoiding these impacts. This chapter reviews how coastal indigenous peoples in Chile have advanced in safeguarding their territories through the implementation of legal instruments, specifically through Marine and Coastal Areas for Indigenous Peoples (MCAIP).
