Scientific publication (e.g., journal articles and book chapters independently peer-reviewed)
Monitoring the sustainability of Lessonia nigrescens (Laminariales, Phaeophyceae) in northern Chile under strong harvest pressure
Unknown/not recorded
Is the species endemic HIDE
Unknown
Population Status
Unknown/not recorded
No formal international protection in place
National Level
Unknown/not recorded
Population Trend
Unknown/not recorded
Sub-national Level
Unknown/not recorded
Name
Emma Hemmerlé
Scientific Name
Lessonia nigrescens
Common Name(s)
Grey Weed
Giant Grey Weed
Type of Use
Extractive (i.e., the entire organism or parts of the organism are removed from its environment)
If extractive, for the target species, is this use
Non-Lethal
Does this use involve take/extraction of
Only parts or products of the organism (e.g., feathers, leaves, branches, eggs, nuts)
Details of parts/products taken
selective harvest of sporophytes to allow the maintenance of a reproductive stock
Are specific characteristics/traits being targeted?
Unknown/not recorded
Purpose of Use
Largescale commercial exploitation for trade
Additional Details (if available)
extraction of alginic acid, which is used in diverse industrial applications; Only a minor fraction of the annual harvest is used by the Chilean national gel industry or as feed for invertebrate cultures
What is the main end use for any living organisms, parts or products taken/extracted?
This study was carried out along the northern Chilean coast between 26° and 32°S, where historically most of L. nigrescens harvesting is done;
Four study areas were selected: Totoral Bajo (27,757° S– 71,064° W), Caleta Angosta (28,250° S–71,163° W), Lagunillas (30,103° S–71,383° W), and Talquilla (30,864° S–71,683° W). For the evaluation of harvested populations, we considered MAEBR ( Management Areas for Exploitation of Benthic Resources) and OAA (Open Access Areas. Also, two MPAs with prohibition of extraction and harvesting were evaluated: Isla Grande de Atacama (27,248° S– 70,974° W) and Isla Choros Marine Reserve (29,259° S–71, 535° W).
Vega, J.M.A., Broitman, B.R. & Vásquez, J.A. Monitoring the sustainability of Lessonia nigrescens (Laminariales, Phaeophyceae) in northern Chile under strong harvest pressure. J Appl Phycol 26, 791–801 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10811-013-0167-4
Considering the economic, social, and ecological importance of brown macroalgae, and the substantial increase in harvest, the Chilean government has implemented a co-management and conservation plan, surveying the available and harvestable biomass, the strength of harvesting (Capture per Unit Effort—CPUE), and characterizing the chain of production (Vásquez 2008)
In MPA, the annual renewal of kelp populations has a seasonal cycle wherein the natural mortality of adult plants is compensated by intense recruitment (Fig. 3a). In MAEBR, the density of adult plants decreases during the maximum harvest period, preferably executed in spring and summer; however, recruitment of juvenile plants post-harvest maintains the annual cycle of kelp renewal (Fig. 3b). In OAA, where the kelp harvest occurs all year, adult plant density is maintained significantly lower