**6. Conclusions and projections**

### **6.1 Advantages of barnacle culture**

"Giant barnacle" culture benefits from advantages over other crustacean delicate meats, such as lobsters or prawns, summarized in López et al., (2010):


#### **6.2 Effect of giant barnacle culture on aquaculture diversification in Chile**

Potential for Aquaculture diversification in Chile is high, due to the presence of a large number of economically significant native species of fish, invertebrates and algae. Many of them are exported at high prices; the majority in limited volumes. Fisheries and aquaculture exports in Chile reach around US\$4 billion and are destined to more than 130 countries. Nevertheless, limitations, generated by the overexploitation of natural populations, exist. Culture options could become a reality if the level of biological knowledge and trial

Greatest cash outlay corresponds to production technology (material and labour costs associated with the construction and installation of production technologies). Sensitivity analysis indicates that positive NPC values are maintained, in spite of significant changes in each critical variable, such as: spat density, gross weight, mortality up to harvest, processing and packing costs, FOB sale prices and exchange rate. For elasticity analysis, the most relevant variables are: gross weight at harvest and sale price FOB, while the variable with

"Giant barnacle" culture benefits from advantages over other crustacean delicate meats,

a. They are omnivorous filter feeders that consume a wide size-range of phytoplankton and zooplankton. Thus, they have a low trophic level and cultures do not require provision of exogenous food, as a result of which costs and environmental impact are

b. Although they are gregarious, they do not create culture problems associated with the territorial behaviour of other species. "Giant barnacles" living in groups do not generate density-dependent effects during growth or reproduction, because of their ability to modify their base, thus limiting demand for areas of adhesion to the substrate (López et

c. Spat can be obtained from the wild in sufficient quantities to permit the development of commercial cultures. This means production costs are low. Spat production in hatcheries ensures reliable supplies, but clearly increases costs (López et al., 2005; 2010;

d. They have high growth rates, thus specimens can reach a commercial size in periods that, depending on the requirements of the market, fluctuate between 6 and 18 months

f. They have high resistance to environmental variables, particularly hypoxia and to salinity variations, factors that are usually subject to frequent changes, affecting the

h. Although real demand has not been completely defined, commercialization prices on

Potential for Aquaculture diversification in Chile is high, due to the presence of a large number of economically significant native species of fish, invertebrates and algae. Many of them are exported at high prices; the majority in limited volumes. Fisheries and aquaculture exports in Chile reach around US\$4 billion and are destined to more than 130 countries. Nevertheless, limitations, generated by the overexploitation of natural populations, exist. Culture options could become a reality if the level of biological knowledge and trial

survival of organisms maintained in suspended cultures (López et al., 2003). g. Culture technologies are simple and economical, and potential for contamination and

mass environmental effects, is low. They occupy limited space.

**6.2 Effect of giant barnacle culture on aquaculture diversification in Chile** 

lowest impact on NPV is processing and packing costs (Bedecarratz et al., 2011).

such as lobsters or prawns, summarized in López et al., (2010):

e. They possess early sexual maturity and high fecundity.

**6. Conclusions and projections 6.1 Advantages of barnacle culture** 

moderate.

al., 2007b).

Andrade et al., 2011).

(López et al., 2010).

international markets are high.

experiences aimed at developing adequate production techniques, increase; to date, experimental cultures have been undertaken using around a dozen species (López et al., 2008b). The development of industrial cultures of native species, permits greater predictability in production volumes as well as improved product quality. At present Aquaculture production exceeds 700,000 ton/year. A total of seventeen species are cultured - four algae (11.5% of production), five species of fish (62.6%) and eight species of molluscs (25.9% of production). Around 63% correspond to introduced species, principally salmonids and, to a lesser extent, abalones and the Japanese Oyster. Twenty-five percent includes various species of native molluscs, principally mytilids, the Chilean oyster and the northern scallop (Sernapesca, 2009). However, they are cultured with introduced technologies, developed for similar species in other countries. Only around 14% correspond to two species of native algae, cultured using national technologies.

Traditional fisheries activities extract 130 species of commercial interest, of which 68 are fish, 29 molluscs, 19 crustaceans, 11 algae and 3 "other" groups. Annual landings reach approximately 2,000,000 ton/year. Seventy-three percent of landings correspond to fish, 19% algae, 5.2% molluscs and 0.7% crustaceans (Sernapesca, 2009). Data reveal interesting and varied alternatives for aquaculture diversification, based on the incorporation of mass cultures of native species. Among these, is the "giant barnacle", about which considerable knowledge has been accumulated regarding biological aspects associated with aquaculture, such as: growth (López et al., 2008a); density-dependent effects (López et al., 2007b); reproduction and life cycle (López & Toledo, 1979); effects of environmental factors, such as salinity and hypoxia (Vial et al., 1999; López & López, 2005; López et al., 2003; Simpfendörfer et al., 2005; 2006); and behaviour (López & López, 2005; López et al., 2008a). Furthermore, the development of production technologies for obtaining spat from the wild and for growth, have permitted culture of the "giant barnacle" on a semi-industrial scale (López, 2008; López et al., 2010).

Although cost and experience of the workforce are important factors affecting the economic feasibility of cultures, present conditions are favourable, due to the increased availability of manual labour with aquaculture experience in southern Chile. This is a consequence of reduced demand for workers in the salmonid production sector, which has been negatively affected by the presence of viral disease (Mardones et al., 2009; Vike et al., 2009). This same causal factor has increased the availability of maritime concessions, processing plants, transport systems and other facilities for new aquacultures activities.

#### **7. Acknowledgements**

Funds were provided by the Chilean Government (FONDEF Projects D03I1116 and D07I1042), the Autonomous Regional Government of the Azores, Portugal (Projects EPA-I PRODESA 2004.91.001646.0 and PEDAPCA) and the Universidad de Los Lagos, Osorno, Chile, aimed at developing barnacle culture. This financial support is gratefully acknowledged, as is the collaboration of the private companies JAL Fisheries SA (Chile), Cultivos Cholche (Chile), Aquanorte (Chile) Plastimar Ltda (Chile) Octopus Mar SA (Chile), and Sea Expert SA (Azores Islands). In particular, the assistance of José A. López, Justo García, Hugo Ulloa, Pedro González, Luis Pereira, and Henrique Ramos was especially significant. Similarly, the authors appreciate the support of the Universidade dos Açores and the collaboration of the Chilean researchers María Luisa González, Sergio Arriagada, Óscar Mora, Verónica Riquelme, Paula Bedecarratz, Mauricio Pineda, José Uribe and Lorenzo Andrade as well as the students Victor Oyarzún, Erwin Aros, Elías Romeri, Haroldo Aburto, Diego Barriga and Alexis Catalán. The contribution of the researchers from the Azores Islands, Mirko Di Girolamo, Rui Guedes and Emanuel Silva, is much appreciated. Our thanks also go to Pedro Ségure of FONDEF-CHILE. Finally, the cooperation of Sandra Mancilla, in the administrative work, Susan Angus, in the translation of the manuscript, and the Editor comments, are much appreciated.

#### **8. References**


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