MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Test feeding Chilean abalone with kelp.

Findings related to innovations in algae farming and subsequent impact on breeding invertebrate herbivores mainly abalone, were presented last August 19 in Puerto Montt during the conference on ”Macrocystis pyrifera (kelp) farming in Chile”, sponsored by the Chilean Promotion Fund for Scientific and Technological Development, FONDEF.

The seminar was attended by FONDEF representative Paola Blázquez, business director of Aquamot S.A., Carlos Breton, and professors from the Southern University of Chile, (UACH), as well as aquaculture academics and businessmen. Project director Dr Renato Westermeier, explained the five-year research focused in the study of kelps ?particularly the giant Macrocystis pyrifera - and its relevance in the sustainable use of marine resources that are destined for abalone (Haliotis sp.) farming.

Mr. Westermeier said they seek to extend the presence of the giant bladder kelp during the winter months through hybrid techniques which would help to replace artificial feeding and protect the biomass of other algae of lesser energy content usually used to feed abalone.

UACH vice-chancellor, Dr Carlos Amtmann, welcomed the introduction of "a new productive language" among the researchers and executives that jointly seek the aquaculture development. Paola Blázquez referred to FONDEF's role in the strengthening of ongoing innovations "to generate new products and services as well as to improve efficiency and productivity of goods processing and services that are already been commercialized".

On behalf of the three companies involved in the project - Aquamont S.A, Cultivos Marinos Cernamar and the Sociedad de Cultivos Marinos Agua-, Carlos Breton expressed satisfaction over the way one of the essential factors in abalone farming, feed provision was been addressed. The project involved an investment of approximately 250,000 US dollars financed almost equally by UACH (35%), the private sector (32%) and FONDEF (33%). (FIS/MP).-