2 September 2026

With 129 participants from the production sector, public agencies, academia, and research centers, the Fisheries Development Institute (IFOP) concluded the 13th phase (2025-2026) of the Monitoring and Surveillance Program on Mussel Larval Availability, an initiative that generates strategic information to support the sustainability of Chilean mussel farming and decision-making in one of the country’s main aquaculture sectors.

Mussel production depends on a fundamental biological process: the natural availability of seeds collected from the environment. Unlike other aquaculture activities that may depend on controlled hatchery production, Chilean mussel farming relies primarily on the collection of wild seed. Therefore, knowing precisely when, where, and under what environmental conditions periods of peak larval abundance occur is essential for production planning and reducing uncertainty.

In this context, the program implemented by IFOP and funded by the Undersecretariat of Fisheries and Aquaculture has established one of the most extensive monitoring series in the country for mussel larvae. The work carried out allows for an understanding of spawning dynamics and the oceanographic and climatic factors linked to the variability in seed collection success in different areas of importance to mussel farming.

During the 2025-2026 season, researchers presented results from the main objectives of the Monitoring Program, demonstrating the importance of maintaining long-term, systematic observations to interpret the spatial and temporal variations in larval availability. The analyses conducted allowed for the comparison of sectors with contrasting behaviors, the identification of environmental signals associated with larval abundance, and the evaluation of the production sector’s own perception of the conditions observed during the last collection seasons.

The presentations given during the workshop are available for download below. We invite researchers, aquaculture professionals, students, authorities, and the general public to review the content shared by each presenter, which provides updated scientific background on larval monitoring, environmental conditions, and sectoral perceptions.

The information generated by the program constitutes a practical tool for producers and seed collectors, contributing to better planning of operations and production strategies. At the same time, it provides relevant scientific background for sector stakeholders and public agencies responsible for aquaculture management, strengthening evidence-based decision-making processes.

One of the highlights of this stage was the integration of biological, environmental, and climatic data, allowing for a broader understanding of the factors that influence seed availability in the coastal systems of southern Chile. This approach is particularly relevant in the face of climate variability and oceanographic events that can alter productivity patterns and affect the sustainability of aquaculture activities.

Those wishing to learn more about the results of this monitoring and access updated information on the availability of mussel seed can visit the Endemic Seed platform, developed by IFOP, available at: www.ifop.cl/monitoreo-larvas-de-mitilidos

The dissemination workshop held on August 24th allowed for sharing this information with a maximum audience of 129 remote participants, reflecting the growing interest in accessing applied scientific information and strengthening the links between research, public administration, and the productive sector. The event brought together mussel farmers, representatives of public services, researchers, academics, and professionals involved in the development of Chilean aquaculture.

The day’s program included presentations that reflected the diverse perspectives surrounding the sustainability of mussel farming. Along with a presentation by Paulina Vera from the Undersecretariat of Fisheries and Aquaculture, members of the program team—Cristian Segura, Cristina Stuardo, José Videla, Macarena Herrera, and Oscar Ramírez—presented on the various components of larval, environmental, and sectoral perception monitoring developed during this phase. (For more details, see the content of each presentation above.) Both the Mussel Larval Availability Monitoring and Surveillance Program and the Red Tide Program are initiatives developed by IFOP’s Aquaculture Research Division, through its Environmental Department, aimed at generating scientific knowledge to support the management and sustainability of national aquaculture. A particularly noteworthy moment was the presentation by Oscar Espinoza, from IFOP’s Red Tide Program, on the El Niño event and its relationship with the Antarctic Oscillation for the 2026-2027 season. His presentation exemplified the connection between different lines of institutional research serving the sustainability of national aquaculture.

Beyond the dissemination of information, the event represented an opportunity to strengthen collaborative networks with academia, research centers, and government bodies that support this ongoing research program. The exchange of experiences and needs between users of scientific information and research teams allows for the formulation of new research questions and progress toward increasingly useful monitoring tools for coastal areas.

After the execution of thirteen consecutive stages, the Monitoring and Surveillance Program on the Larval Availability of Mussels continues to consolidate itself as a strategic source of information for Chilean mussel farming, providing publicly accessible scientific knowledge that helps reduce uncertainties, generates relevant information to address adaptation to environmental changes and supports the sustainable development of a key activity for the coastal communities of the south of the country.