Restoration Objective:
This study aimed to explore new restoration techniques for Macrocystis and Lessonia in order to develop fishermen-feasible techniques with a good cost-benefit ratio, in order to restore major extensions of these economically important kelp forests along Chilean coasts.
Site Selection Criteria:
Sandy and rocky subtidal habitats of Bahía Chasco were selected for Macrocystis restoration and rocky intertidal habitats for Lessonia at Bahia Chañaral. Currently, there is no evidence of over-exploitation of Macrocystis at of Bahía Chasco despite a large fishery. Bahia Chañaral, on the other hand, was severely affected for more than 35 years by mining dump deposition into Salado River and Lessonia is no longer present.
Cause Of Decline:
The Chilean kelp fishery produces more than 300,000 t yearly, and it is carried out mainly by local fishermen. The incapacity to reproduce high-energy tolerant culture systems for Lessonia nigrescens and economically feasible installations for Macrocystis pyrifera led to 100 % of kelp biomass being collected only from natural beds in Chile, despite already having developed several aquaculture alternatives for them.
Key Reasons For Decline:
Water Pollution
Scientific Paper
Holdfast fragmentation of Macrocystis pyrifera (integrifolia morph) and Lessonia berteroana in Atacama (Chile): a novel approach for kelp bed restoration
Journal of Applied Phycology, Vol. 28.
https://doi.org/10.1007/s10811-016-0827-2
