Marcela Ávila1 4, Ricardo Riquelme1, Constanza de Zarate1, Gesica Aroca1 4, Juan Pablo Rodriguez2,4,5, Fabio Méndez2,4,5, Zambra López2, Andrés Mansilla 2,4,6.
1 Universidad Arturo Prat, Instituto de Ciencia y Tecnología, Ejército 443, Puerto Montt, Chile
2 Laboratorio de Ecosistemas Marinos Antárticos y Subantárticos, Universidad de Magallanes, Punta Arenas, Chile.
3 Programa de Magíster en Ciencias mención Manejo y Conservación de Recursos Naturales en Ambientes Subantárticos, Universidad de Magallanes, Casilla 113-D, Punta Arenas, Chile.
4 Cape Horn International Center (CHIC), Universidad de Magallanes, Punta Arenas, Chile.
5 Programa de Doctorado en Ciencias Antárticas y Subantárticas, Universidad de Magallanes, Punta Arenas Chile.
6 Millennium Institute Biodiversity of Antarctic and Subantarctic Ecosystems (BASE)
Sarcopeltis (ex Gigartina) skottsbergii is one of the most representative species of carragenophyte red algae in the algal fisheries of southern Chile. According to fishery statistics, during 2010-2016, the average annual landing of S. skottsbergii was 25,436 wet tons. Of this, 98% of the biomass landed came from natural beds of southern Chile. The aim of this study was to evaluate according to biological, fishing and socio-economic antecedents the main natural beds of S. skottsbergii in the southern region: Los Lagos, Aysén and Magellan regions. Biological results showed the highest values in biomass, density, and species richness in the Los Lagos Region. The recruitment was seasonal and occured mainly in the summer period. Reproductive phenology showed latitudinal gradients, with different proportions of phases and number of reproductive structures. The results showed that the harvesting period occurs between Oct-Mar in Los Lagos and Aysén regions, while in Magellan region between Sep-May. The main landing sites during the 2010-2018 period were Quellón, representing 91% of Los Lagos region, Melinka with 91% of Aysén region, and Punta Arenas (42%) and Puerto Natales (41%) in Magellan region. The socio-economic fishing results showed inconsistencies between the number of people authorized for shore collection and the declared activity (only 1% declared). During workshops with public and private institutions of the fishing sector, strategies for sustainability, and administrative measures for fishery of the species were proposed.