This research investigated the incidences of marine mammal bycatch reported by artisanal fishers in six fishing coves from San Antonio to Quisco, central Chile, including socioeconomic aspects of the fishery that provide context to this important livelihood. A total of 153 semi-structured and unstructured interviews were conducted with artisanal fishers and their representatives. Responses indicate a low incidence of marine mammal bycatch in the local artisanal fishing sector and raise concern about the possibility of underreporting. In addition, interviews reveal the importance of fishing as a key source of economic and nutritional security for hundreds of thousands of Chileans, including the families of over 1600 registered artisanal fishers in the southern part of central Chile. Results also indicate that fishers have considerable distrust towards marine governance institutions, which may affect their willingness to participate in resource management and marine mammal bycatch reduction programs. Understanding the complexities of local artisanal fisheries and communities can allow for effective fishery management that considers both ecological and socioeconomic importance of artisanal fisheries, especially those that address the protection of protected species such as marine mammals, and the impact of policies on individual harvesters and their communities.