the humboldt current system of northern and central chile - figema

THE HUMBOLDT CURRENT SYSTEM OF NORTHERN AND CENTRAL CHILEto build a coastal conservation management network, including no-take and multiple-use MPAs,sanctuaries, marine concessions and AMERBs (Castilla 2000, Secretariat of the Convention onBiological Diversity SCBD 2004, Fernández & Castilla 2005, Castilla & Gelcich 2006). The presentauthors believe that, based on present progress, this overarching framework can be achieved inChile (following guidelines given by the SCBD 2004). In fact, along ~18–41°S at present thereare already established >300 AMERBs, two main MPAs for multiple uses (Isla Grande de Atacamaand Lafken Mapu Lahual; see CONAMA-PNUD 2006), four declared and active marine reservesand several other categories of protected areas (Fernández & Castilla 2005). Connecting these areasand providing them with one unified administrative umbrella will furthermore meet the goals of theChilean National Biodiversity Strategy Plan, which attempts to protect 10% of relevant marineChilean ecosystems by 2012 (Rovira 2006). This overarching network system must also considerexternal threats such as pollution, which is an important issue in Chile due to pollution resultingfrom mining activities, agriculture and ship paints (Correa et al. 1999).Novel approaches in coastal maricultureThe Chilean coastline along the HCS is very exposed to the open ocean, generally lacking waveprotectedembayment, and is thus not particularly suitable for the development of maricultureactivities. Exceptions are the bays or bay systems of Mejillones, Antofagasta, Caldera, Coquimboand Dichato, where scallops, oysters, mussels and Gracilaria are cultured on a limited scale. Inlandmariculture has also been developed, particularly for introduced species of the genus Haliotis. Iffurther progress for mariculture in the HCS will occur, the challenge remains in the developmentof novel technologies for sea bottom or raft culture systems in exposed and offshore systems.Research on marine non-indigenous speciesThe number of NIS along the HCS is surprisingly low when compared with similar upwelling ornon-upwelling systems around the world (Castilla et al. 2005a). It has been suggested that thisresults from a combination of factors such as less-stressed coastal environments or the scarcity ofestuaries, gulfs and enclosed bays. Furthermore, it has been hypothesised that it might be linkedto the existence of the coastal shallow oxygen-minimum zones (Castilla & Neill 2007). Theseaspects need further research. Moreover, the rate at which NIS are presently being introduced foraquaculture purposes (e.g., salmon, abalone, algae) needs to be carefully monitored since, forinstance, escapees (e.g., salmon) from culture pens may impact native species and communities(Buschmann et al. 2006b). The potential for the introduction of diseases and pests into HCS coastalenvironments, linked to the development of aquaculture (e.g., Radashevsky & Olivares 2005, R.A.Moreno et al. 2006b, Neill et al. 2006), must also be monitored.Research in marine molecular biology, particularly on genomicsThe use of molecular biology techniques in marine organisms is seen for Chile as a new researchfrontier (Castilla et al. 2005b), allowing a range of questions to be addressed, covering evolutionarybiology, taxonomy and phylogeny (e.g., Letelier et al. 2003, Véliz et al. 2003, Thiel et al. 2004),ecology and invasive species (Castilla et al. 2002b) and above all population aspects linked tofisheries (Cárdenas et al. 2005). We anticipate that during the next decade this research, particularlyon marine genomics, should substantially increase.Training of Chilean marine taxonomistsIn Chile the training of marine taxonomists must increase. For this the establishment of specificprogrammes is needed that support the formation and hiring of taxonomic experts, publication of301