the humboldt current system of northern and central chile - figema

MARTIN THIEL ET AL.evolutionary adaptability, primary and secondary production, biodiversity, and species invasions(Castilla & Neill 2007) to impacts on fisheries.Research on nearshore coastal oceanography and benthic-pelagic couplingThe nearshore oceanography (coastal border to about 2–3 km offshore) is one of the least-knownareas of the world’s oceans. In this regard, during the past 5 yr several lines of research have beendeveloped in central Chile (e.g., Poulin et al. 2002a,b, Kaplan et al. 2003, Wieters et al. 2003,Narváez et al. 2004, Vargas et al. 2004, Piñones et al. 2005) and further research efforts are needed.Unless improvements in the knowledge of nearshore oceanography are achieved, coastal ecologycannot be properly understood. This includes topics such as dispersal of nearshore propagules,benthic resource fisheries and sustainability issues, coastal conservation and pollution impacts.Linking nearshore oceanography and the coastal benthic-pelagic systems remains as a challenge,not only along the HCS (Castilla et al. 2002a, Escribano et al. 2002, Lagos et al. 2002, Marín &Moreno 2002), but also around the world (Shanks 1983, 1995, 2002, Largier 2002).Development of an integrative and adaptive resource managementapproach to fisheriesPelagic, benthic and demersal marine resource management in Chile is regulated by the Ley dePesca y Acuicultura 1991 (Fishery and Aquaculture Law, FAL 1991), under the responsibility of theSubsecretary of Fisheries, Ministry of Economy. For the management and administration of fisheries,among other regulations, the law (1) defines the ‘artisanal fishery’ referring to vessels/boats