Diversification and prosperity of the traditional Chilean aquaculture depends on approximately 70 endemic invertebrate species of commercial interest. Exports of these species are limited, as there is always an imminent danger of over-exploitation.
In the case of picoroco, we now have managed to obtain a stable population in our culture centers and take advantage of a standardized aquaculture with predictable results.
Pico-Roco culture has its origin in Universidad de Los Lagos´ "Centro de Acuicultura y Ciencias del Mar", located at "Bahía Metri" (41º36'S; 72º42' W) and in its Marine culture Laboratories in the City of Osorno, Southern Chile. The associate seafarming companies are Jal Fisheries S.A., which provides sales and marketing and Cultivos Cholche, which provides its experience in the culture of marine invertebrates. Part of the project was developed in Japan, where local specialists carried out market studies.
Another important aspect is the human factor. Young scientists from Chile and Argentina and alumni of the aqua engineering faculty are building strategic human resource networks on aquaculture and environmental sciences Within the project, they carry out fundamental and advanced research on aquaculture, preserving the existing ecosystems.
At the present stage stage, we have started to transfer the technologies to sea farmers.
In the famework of a FONDEF Research Project, Universidad de Los Lagos developped a technological Package for Pico-Roco culture.
It consists in capturing larvae, hatch them to a certain size, then transfer the animals to a specific culture substrate to which it adheres permanently and grows until it reaches it´s commercial size.
The research project was carried out in the University´s Center of Mariculture, in Punta Metri, Southern Chile.
