Lessonia trabeculata is one of the major kelps found along the northern coast of Chile . In addition to its ecological and economic importance, L . trabeculata may be severely affected by environmental disturbances such as El Niflo, which during 1982-1983 cleared wide areas along the coast of Peru and Chile . The main goal of this work was to mass culture L . trabeculata and to observe the growth of sporophytes obtained in the laboratory and cultured in the sea . Juvenile sporophytes obtained in the laboratory were attached between 1 and 6 m in depth . The linear growth rate, as blade elongation, was recorded weekly for seven months . No significant differences (p < 0 .05) were found in sporophyte blade linear growth at different depths . The best elongation growth rate was 7 .5 ± 1 .6 mm d -1 at 3 m during March . This preliminary work suggests that L . trabeculata follows an annual growth cycle similar to that of other Laminariales with a high rate of blade elongation during the summer and decreasing towards autumn . This species can be considered a potential candidate for aquaculture to increase the availability of raw material and aid in repopulation of overexploited areas .

Chondracanthus chamissoi is an important source of carrageenan in Chile. Presently, all the production is harvested from wild populations. This study reports the ¢rst attempt to cultivate C. chamissoi. Experiments were conducted with female gametophytic and sporophytic thalli by inserting them among braids of a 7 mm polypropylene rope. Inoculated ropes were placed at 1, 3 and 5 m depths in two sheltered bays in northern Chile. The fronds adapted well to cultivation and grew at all the depths tested, although the greatest increase in biomass was observed at 1m depth. On a yearly cycle, higher biomass increases were observed in autumn and winter months compared with the spring and summer. We believe that by adapting the cultivation methodology, this species could be cultivated year round.

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