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Bivalve mollusc farming in Chile. (Photo: Fundación Chile)
Fundacion Chile promotes bivalve mollusc farming
(CHILE, 4/28/2017)
Fundacion Chile (FCh) has made an unprecedented achievement for the country by reaching a production capacity of 100 million clam seeds per year at the Quillaipe Aquaculture Centre, Region X. And this volume could increase, according to the projected requirements of the artisanal fishing sector and of companies that demand this marine resource.
From the Foundation, they emphasize that, after several years of research and development, concrete steps are taken towards aquaculture diversification, with the clam being the first species of this new stage in national aquaculture.
The high demand for this mollusc, together with the exhaustion of the resource, motivated the work of FCh in the development of new technologies that made it possible to improve the production of the seeds of the species in order to assure the supply of the raw material. All this to promote models of associative aquaculture entrepreneurship among the company, science and the artisanal fishing sector.
"The aquaculture of bivalve molluscs in Chile seeks to be a productive alternative that benefits both coastal communities engaged in artisanal fishing and the domestic canning industry, which is currently suffering from supply issues due to the depletion of the natural banks," says Martin Hevia, executive director of Aquaculture at Fundacion Chile.
The technology developed by FCh can be adapted to different production scales and try to simplify the production processes and reduce the financial risks associated to the crop.
According to Martin Hevia, given the positive experience in Quillaipe, it is expected that soon it will be possible to sell seeds for fattening in a suspended system at sea and to replicate this production format at the Tongoy Aquaculture Centre.
"That implies a standardization of the development carried out at the Quillaipe Aquaculture Centre, replicating and validating the seed production technology, but with clams from the northern zone," he explained.
Hevia clarified that although the species is the same (Venus antiqua), by its geographical location could correspond to different populations. In addition, he said that they seek to avoid any health risks that could lead to the transfer of pathogens from one region to another. The seeds will also be used for small-scale aquaculture, together with artisanal fishermen.
In parallel, FCh began work on the production of macha clam (Mesodesma donacium) and razor clam (Ensis macha). This last project will be carried out at the Tongoy Aquaculture Centre, and its objective is to validate the results obtained for the stages of settlement and post larval farming.
Marine Cultures Tongoy SA acts as an associate in razor clam and in its facilities some of the R&D activities contemplated will be developed.
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Av. Parque Antonio Rabat Sur N°6165
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Santiago
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Region Metropolitana
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Chile
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+56 2 240 0300
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+56 2 242 6900
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[email protected]
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