For a decade, at the Quintay Marine Research Center, CIMARQ, of the Andrés Bello University, we have been optimizing technologies for the production of seeds from different species of commercially important marine invertebrates that, are considered key species in the Benthic Resource Management and Exploitation Areas (AMERBs) in the central region of our country. One of these species, due to its organoleptic and nutritional quality, as well as its landing volumes and prices, is the red sea urchin, Loxechinus albus.
L. albus is the most exploited species worldwide. Landings of nearly 30,000 tons/y represent nearly 50% of all sea urchins extracted, and their numbers have steadily declined over the past 25 years. The red sea urchin is also a primary species in 20% of the country’s AMERBs, a percentage that doubles in the Valparaíso Region.
Thanks to the support of UNAB and the Valparaíso Regional Government, through various projects, a consistent technology and technological platform for seed production have been generated and validated. This includes improvements in water treatment and pumping systems, a room for the controlled production of microalgae in bioreactors, an efficient hatchery that allows for the regular production of 4 to 8 million competent post-larvae per batch, and yards for the culture of thousands of pre-seeds (up to 1 cm in diameter) and seeds (up to 3 cm in diameter). And a cohesive team of researchers, professionals, and technicians with expertise in gonadal conditioning, culture, feeding, transport, and storage of this valuable species. Fig. 1.
Key aspects that need to be addressed to develop intensive land-based fattening of this valuable species are briefly highlighted and discussed as an adaptive response to the new environmental challenges arising from global change and a challenging economic and social context.