Artisanal king crab (Lithodes santolla) fishing takes place between July 1 and November 30 of each year. It is an activity of great economic and social importance for the region and the country, as it is a crustacean highly prized in global gastronomy for its high meat yield, delicate flavor, and texture. Since 2007, IFOP has been implementing a research and monitoring program aimed at developing biological and fishery indicators for the species.
The king crab fishery has been operating since 1928 in areas near Punta Arenas and Porvenir, and today it is carried out throughout almost the entire region, excluding the Skyring Sound and the eastern part of the Strait of Magellan. At that time, and until 1974, catches did not exceed 300 tons, increasing progressively to reach an average of 3,240 tons over the last 5 years.
The current regulatory and administrative measures in place for the king crab fishery are as follows:
- The use of traps as the sole fishing gear, a ban on landing and marketing females.
- A minimum legal catch size for males of 12 cm carapace length.
- Entry of male specimens into processing plants in their entire state (alive).
- Suspension of registration in the Artisanal Fishing Registry of the National Fisheries and Aquaculture Service (SERNAPESCA).
Magallanes has a complex geography, characterized by an extensive network of fjords and channels with an adverse climate and a highly heterogeneous variety of hydrographic and geological conditions. This is where the monitoring carried out by the IFOP generates the information necessary to understand the dynamics of the fishery, determine the areas of operation, determine catch volumes, determine the population structure of the species, and assess the reproductive status of exploited specimens. Furthermore, in recent years, aspects related to the impact of fishing activity on the ecosystem have been incorporated, including records of interactions with birds and mammals, as well as the identification of accompanying fauna.
Technical Workshop for the Preparation of Research and Monitoring Activities
The research and monitoring activities carried out by IFOP in the Magallanes region are an ongoing challenge. Every year, prior to the start of the king crab fishing season, the annual workshop on Monitoring the Benthic Crustacean Fishery is held. This workshop allows for the exchange of experiences between scientific observers and researchers and the development of the best strategies for recording information.
The event took place at IFOP Punta Arenas in late June and included scientific observers Gabriela Arteaga, Karla Jaque, Joseline Barría, Jaime Vargas, Juan Miranda, Marcos Oyarzo, and Juan Ancapán from Puerto Natales, Punta Arenas, Porvenir, and Puerto Williams. The event also included advisory services from program researchers Vivian Pezo, Hernán Pacheco, and Eduardo Almonacid, as well as field coordinator Álex Oyarzo and data manager José Fuentes.
Erik Daza, Project Manager, stated: “This year, 100% of the professionals involved in this study were in attendance in person. We have optimistically prepared a two-day work program, during which we will consolidate the technical knowledge associated with the program’s objectives and activities, share methodological aspects, and plan field work associated with landing points and fishing areas for the second half of 2025. During these 18 years of monitoring, we have acquired time series of various biological and fishing indicators for king crab, and the challenge is to provide scientific evidence for the sustainable exploitation of this species in the Magallanes region.”
The workshop began with the active participation of scientific observers who shared their experiences both aboard artisanal fishing vessels and at the region’s docks. Through their presentations, they were able to demonstrate and compare their work methods, as well as share the knowledge acquired during years of fieldwork.
Subsequently, Field Coordinator Alex Oyarzo gave a talk focused on form review, dockside operating procedures, and proper information recording.
Researcher Vivian Pezo presented progress on vessel registration, the use of forms, and their contribution to the IFOP database.
The day concluded with a presentation by Hernán Pacheco, focusing on the origin, type, and price of bait, a key component in this fishery.
On the second day of the workshop, Alex Oyarzo presented a comprehensive account of data collection in biological sampling, including trap selection, reproductive condition assessment, parasite presence, shell consistency, and accompanying fauna, among other aspects. He also addressed the use of tools such as acrylic boards, GPS, and photographic records, in addition to a detailed review of the completion of forms with biological and fishery indicators.
Next, Eduardo Almonacid presented on accompanying fauna and presented the project results for 2024, providing valuable historical context.
Hernán Pacheco, for his part, presented a presentation focused on downtime in the fishing zone, data delivery deadlines, the current status of the project, and the relevance of photographic records.
Importance of the workshop
This type of event is essential for evaluating and standardizing the technical knowledge of scientific observers, allowing them to improve the management of information collected within the framework of the project. Likewise, the exchange of experiences between scientific observers and researchers constitutes a key tool for the continuous improvement of fisheries monitoring, directly contributing to the generation of robust scientific information, essential for providing reliable information for decision-making.
In this context, the work of the Fisheries Development Institute is crucial for establishing objective conditions that guarantee the sustainability of benthic resources in the Magallanes Region.
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