Un análisis crítico sobre el uso de macroalgas como base para una acuicultura sustentable Critical analysis on the use of macroalgae as a base for sustainable aquaculture

The current paper analyses the market, environmental and regulation issues limiting the development of alga aquaculture in Chile and we discuss the possible benefits and uncertainties for the future development of this activity. In particular, Chile has extremely favorable environmental conditions for aquaculture, which allowed that during the past decades the development of a salmon and mussel aquaculture industry and as well as activities with invertebrate species such as abalones and scallops and the red alga Gracilaria chilensis. The benefits and environmental uncertainties for such development are discussed. Chile has extremely favorable environmental conditions for the development of aquaculture, thus we discussed how this business cannot be developed affecting negatively the environmental patrimony of the country. We state that diversification in aquaculture must be based on species with different ecological functions (i.e. primary producers, herbivores, carnivores, and decomposers), which is currently known as Integrated Multi-Trophic Aquaculture (IMTA). This can allow for the balance in energy and matter in coastal systems used in aquaculture. Chile has the opportunity to address these issues in depth, which can allow the country not only to export food products, but also to be a leader in technology for a sustainable aquaculture production worldwide.