SECOS
Algae repopulation project advances with the installation of 400 float seedlings in caleta Horcón
Jan 29, 2024
As part of the initiative to recover the kelp forest ecosystems of Caleta Horcón, a team of researchers and local fishermen recently installed 400 floater (Macrocystis pyrifera) seedlings in the area. These efforts are part of an algae repopulation project promoted by the Milenio SECOS Institute, the Laboratory of Ecology and Molecular Biology in Algae (LEBMA-UNAB), ChangoLab, BITECMA and the Horcón Artisanal Fishermen's union.

“The seedlings were grown under controlled conditions in Quintay before being transferred to the sea in Horcón, where they are expected to contribute to the restoration of the marine ecosystem, says Loretto Contreras, researcher at LEBMA-UNAB and SECOS and coordinator of the initiative.
“Algae not only provide shelter and food for numerous species, but also help mitigate pollution and coastal erosion.” The project seeks to co-create sustainable management strategies together with the community of artisanal fishermen, integrating scientific knowledge with local knowledge. With these types of initiatives, Horcón fishermen see an opportunity to recover the biodiversity that once characterized their management area. The next monitoring, scheduled for March, will evaluate the impact of repopulation and progress in ecosystem restoration.
​
​

