New technologies for brown algae conservation and sustainability in Atacama
April 13th, 2020
The project will allow the development of a Web Geographical Information System that can be consulted online with brown algae biomass and distribution information, which will help fishing authorities and management committees to have pertinent, adequate and real-time information to adequately evaluate measures and actions established in the management plans.
Considering brown algae fishery enormous social and economic importance in Atacama region and the need to incorporate new technologies and methodologies for its preservation , tUniversidad Católica del Norte (UCN), at its Coquimbo Headquarters, has dedicated in recent years important efforts for its conservation and fishery sustainability.
As a result of this UCN effort, between 2015 and 2017 it generated a remote evaluation model for macroalgal biomass based on an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) use and Geographic Information Systems (GIS), which allowed estimating available biomass and harvestable brown algae in limited times.
This new model, came to contribute to traditional biomass assessment methodologies, explains Mg. Eduardo Manzano Munizaga Coquimbo based UCN School of Risk and Environmental Prevention project and academic director.
This first initiative laid the foundations for FIC-R Atacama project ” Brown algae biomass and distribution Web Monitoring” (FIC BIP 40013671), awarded by the UCN in 2018 and executed in three provinces of the region (Huasco, Copiapó and Chañaral) Undersecretariat for Fisheries and Aquaculture (SUBPESCA), the National Fisheries and Aquaculture Service (SERNAPESCA) and Fisheries Development Institute(IFOP) support.
More information at the following link (page 42):
https://www.flipsnack.com/DICOA/revista-idie-ucn-n-7/full-view.html
