Opportunities and challenges for the development of an integrated seaweed-based aquaculture activity in Chile: determining the physiological capabilities of Macrocystis and Gracilaria as biofilters

• Published in: Journal of applied phycology Vol. 20; no. 5; pp. 571 - 577
• Main Authors: Buschmann, Alejandro H, Varela, Daniel A, Hernández-González, María Carmen, Huovinen, Pirjo
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Dordrecht Dordrecht : Springer Netherlands 01.10.2008; Springer Netherlands
• Subjects: Biomedical and Life Sciences; Ecology; Freshwater & Marine Ecology; Gracilaria; Gracilaria chilensis; Haliotis; Integrated multi-trophic aquaculture; Life Sciences; Macrocystis; Macrocystis pyrifera; Marine; physiology; Plant Physiology; Plant Sciences; Salmonidae; Seaweeds as biofilters; Chile; Physiology; Seaweeds as biofilters; Chile; Integrated multi-trophic aquaculture
• ISSN: 0921-8971; 1573-5176
• DOI: 10.1007/s10811-007-9297-x

Seaweed production is a reality in Chile. More than ten species are commercially used to produce phycocolloids, fertilizers, plant growth control products, human food or animal fodder and feed additives. These multiple uses of algae offer a number of possibilities for coupling this activity to salmon, abalone and filter-feeder farming. In this context, different experiments carried out in Chile have demonstrated that Gracilaria chilensis and Macrocystis pyrifera have great potential in the development of an integrated aquaculture strategy. The present Integrated Multi-Trophic Aquaculture (IMTA) approach study showed that Gracilaria can be cultured best at 1 m depth whereas Macrocystis has an especially good growth response at 3 m depth. Both species use available nitrogen efficiently. On the other hand, high intensities of solar radiation (UV and PAR) can be critical at low depths of cultivation, and our results indicate that both species show photosynthetic susceptibility mainly at noon during the summer. The demand of Macrocystis for abalone feeding is increasing, thus improving the opportunity for developing an integrated nutrient waste recycling activity in Chile. Although Gracilaria shows a higher nitrogen uptake capacity than Macrocystis, its market value does not yet allow a massive commercial scaling.