Kelp biomass availability for mass abalone cultivation remains a critical issue in Chile. The technical and economic feasibility of a commercial scale kelp farming activity has not been established. This study describes the production and economic results of a pilot scale unit installed in southern Chile. Our results show 25 kg m−1 of production over a 9‐month spring‐summer period, and 16.2 kg m−1 during the autumn‐winter period. These values indicate that a total biomass production of 41.3 kg (wet) ma−1 year−1 can be obtained by placing the culture lines at 4 m intervals. High quality animal food‐grade plants with a 9% protein content, over 5 m in length were harvested. Sensitivity analysis showed that by cultivating 30–50 ha with a market value of US$ 78 ton−1, a return on investment can be made after the first year.
This study explores the potential cultivation of the giant kelp Macrocystis pyrifera (L.) C.A. Agardh in southern Chile, for the development of novel food products. The study demonstrates the importance of considering the collection site of the parent sporophytes for successful cultivation. This study also shows that the ropes must be seeded with 10,000 to 40,000 spores ml −1 , depending on the culture method used. We also demonstrated that under environmental conditions in southern Chile, the seeded ropes must be put at sea at the latest during autumn (April) in order to reach the harvesting season in December. However, several other management aspects must be considered to improve the quality of the product. Our final estimation indicates that over 14.4 kg m −1 of rope (fresh weight) can be produced and from this total production, over 70% can reach the quality to produce different food products that are already being introduced in oriental countries. The remaining 30% can be used for abalone feeding and is also available for the organic fertilizer industry located in Chile.
In Chile, the brown alga Macrocystis pyrifera has been subject to strong harvesting pressure, resulting in severe reduction of natural beds, and a threat to the sustainability of the resource. Repopulation is a possible means for the recovery of overexploited natural populations of M. pyrifera. In this study, we determined density (ind. cm-2), length (mm) and biomass (g) of M. pyrifera sporophytes sown on three types of substrata (ceramic plates, pot scrubbers, clam shells). In laboratory experiments, sporophytes on ceramic plates were significantly longer than those on pot scrubbers or shells after 60 days, and their density was also higher. Juvenile sporophytes seeded on the three substrata were transferred to the sea and placed either inside or outside a M. pyrifera forest. At the end of the experiment in the sea under the kelp forest, highest biomass and length were obtained on the clam shell substrates, but the density did not show significant differences between the substrates. However, outside the kelp forest, no significant differences in kelp density or length were observed between the three substrates tested; but the biomass was significantly higher on the clam shells than on the other two substrata. We conclude that the installation of kelp seeded substratum units may be an option for recovery of exploited M. pyrifera forests.
ABSTRACT. This study analyzed the stresses on a submersible longline culture system subjected to both parallel and perpendicular oceanographic conditions of 0.5 and 1 m s -1 current velocity with 2 to 5 m wave height, using a dynamic simulation model based on the finite element method. Results indicated that when the culture system is submerged, the stress on mooring lines, the main line and whip lines decreases until a 55%. Additionally, changing the direction of the current and waves results in differences ranging from -59% to 312%. It was established that in an environment involving high-energy events, it is structurally possible to submerge the longline culture system in a direction parallel to oceanographic parameters, which could have positive implications for reducing the loss of cultivated biomass and improving productive conditions.
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