Aquaculture 176 1999.

6573

Diversification of flatfish culture in Chile

Adofo Alvial ) , Juan Manrquez

Department of Marine Resources, Fundacion

Chile, P.O. Box 773, Santiago, Chile

Abstract
In 1982, Fundacion
Chile FCH. initiated systematic efforts to introduce flatfish into Chile and
to adapt flatfish rearing technologies starting with turbot Scophthalmus maximus ., given its
interesting market and technical features. The technology transfer and adaptation process included
three phases: Experimental, Pilot and Full Commercial scale using FCHs modus operandi, which
included progressive transfer and the involvement of private investors in the new development.
Presently, there are two hatcheries operating in the centralnorthern region of Chile, one located
in Tongoy, Region IV 308S. and one located in Las Cruces, Region V 338S., and two
on-growing centers, one located in Tongoy and one located in Los Molles, Region V 328S.. This
initial turbot project generated the first flatfish production facilities operating in the Southern
Hemisphere and also established the basis for diversifying Chilean aquaculture, which until then
was mainly concentrated on salmon farming. Recently, FCH has initiated a program to optimize
and diversify flatfish rearing in the country by adding new species, regions and technologies to
Chilean aquaculture. The new program seeks to develop andror transfer the technology for
Chilean flounder Paralichthys adspersus., hirame Paralichthys oliaceus . and Atlantic halibut
Hippoglossus hippoglossus. rearing in different regions of the country. The Universities Arturo
Prat Iquique., Nacional Andres
Bello Santiago. and Magallanes Punta Arenas., as well as a
number of privately owned companies, that are supporting different aspects of the initiative, are
also participating in the program. The Chilean flounder technology is in an experimental phase as
a result of efforts developed by FCH and by the Universidad Catolica
del Norte since the mid-80s.

These efforts will provide the technical platform for the new program. The Chilean flounder
hatchery will be located in Tongoy and the on-growing unit in Quintay, Region V 338S.. The
hirame and halibut rearing developments will be essentially based on foreign experiences as well
as on the know-how, pilot facilities and trained teams produced from FCHs turbot project. The
hirame hatchery will be located in Tongoy and the on-growing unit in Iquique, Region I 208S..
The halibut hatchery and on-growing center will be located in Punta Arenas, Region XII 538S..
The present program aims to carry out and evaluate improvements in turbot rearing and new

Corresponding author. Tel.: q56-2-2400451; Fax: q56-2-2419389; E-mail: aalvial@fundch.cl

0044-8486r99r$ - see front matter q 1999 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.
PII: S 0 0 4 4 - 8 4 8 6 9 9 . 0 0 0 5 1 - 4

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A. Alial, J. Manrquezr
Aquaculture 176 (1999) 6573

flatfish developments under Chilean conditions as well as to explore market opportunities for the
projects species. The program should produce a complete technical and economic study for
flatfish rearing in Chile. q 1999 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.
Keywords: Flatfish; Turbot; Atlantic halibut; Hirame; Chilean flounder; Chile

1. Introduction
In the early 80s, Chilean commercial aquaculture took off as a result of excellent
market opportunities that enabled Chile to use and develop a framework and resources
to trigger a booming salmon industry in the country Alvial, 1991a,b.. Pacific salmon,
Atlantic salmon and rainbow trout were developed in Chiles southern canals zone
making it the worlds second biggest producer of farmed salmon in less than 15 years.
Within a short time, Chile became one of the biggest fish-producing countries in the
world with respect to aquaculture, with a total contribution of about 2% in terms of
volume, which accounts for 25% of the countrys gross product and 15% of the jobs in
the entire fishery and aquaculture sector.
Fundacion
Chile FCH. played a crucial part in this process in three principal areas.
First, FCH promoted intensive aquaculture instead of salmon ranching, which was
heavily supported at that time by other national and international institutions. Environmental and economic uncertainties were basic considerations for this decision. Second,
FCH became the instrument for a very dynamic technology transfer process that allowed
pioneering companies to begin operations with the adequate know-how. Third, FCH laid
the foundations for the Chilean Salmon Producers Association and for a quality
certification system that ensures product quality while increasing the emerging industrys
image and competitiveness.
Aside from these contributions, FCH was also aware that aquaculture in Chile had to
increase the scope of these technologies, products and markets if the country really
wanted to have a permanent and relevant presence in the World Aquaculture Club.
Consequently, FCH began looking for alternatives for opening up aquaculture
activities in regions other than the 10th and 11th regions. It focused on species with high
market potential and reasonably uncomplicated rearing technologies.
Oysters, abalone and particularly, the turbot project, helped to build FCHs technology transfer activities in aquaculture, which in many ways have provided a conceptual
model for other areas in FCH Aquanoticias Internacional, 1992..

2. Turbot project
The turbot Scophthalmus maximus . rearing project was introduced in 1982, bringing
into the country not only a new aquaculture species but also, and most importantly, a
new technological concept for fish rearing Munita, 1993; Alvial, 1994a,b..

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67

The technology transfer and adaptation process included three phases:

1. Experimental phase
2. Pilot phase
3. Full commercial scale phase

19821985
19881991
1992present

The experimental phase was developed in Cultimar, Tongoy 308S., where the
adaptability of different fish stages was tested and basic hatchery and on-growing
management was practiced together with transportation methods. This phase was
developed with British assistance Richard Prickett, consultant.. At the end of this
experimental stage 2 tons of 2 kg fish were produced and turbot rearing was shown to be
technically feasible and economically promising. Chilean technicians were trained in the
operations principal aspects.
About 3 years later, the pilot scale stage facility was developed, which also served as
a training center and is currently a research and development station. This center was
installed in Tongoy following the guidelines provided by British consultants from
Mannin Seafarms. In just 1 year, 19881989, Chilean managers and technicians were
trained, technical information and manuals were prepared in accordance with the
Chilean situation and the pilot unit project was fully developed so FCH was able to start
operating with imported eggs in 1990. Meanwhile, broodstock was built up using
imported fish from various locations.
Within 2 years, the pilot unit yielded very good hatchery and on-growing results and
a group of technicians was trained intensively with support from Mannin and consultant,
David Calvert Scotland..
Revised Technical Conditions Manuals for Equipment and Installations as well as
Economic Evaluations were the starting point for the new project.
In fact, in 1992, full-scale hatchery and full-scale on-growing were initiated in the
countrys central zone where there are good environmental conditions.
In these operations, a group of Chilean private investors joined the emerging business
along with FCH and very rapidly installed modern facilities with technical assistance
from Mannin Seafarms; Insuina,
Spain and FCH. However, difficulties emerged that
delayed the export progress of the project in Chile.
- In the first place, implementation of a full-scale hatchery was more complete than
originally expected. Fortunately, the pilot unit could supply the necessary fish and
provide technical assistance to solve the problem.
- In the second place, some management difficulties at the beginning produced a gap
in the on-growing production which affected the predefined marketing strategy.
However, the pilot on-growing unit was successfully producing and exporting turbot
although on a limited scale.
- Finally, the significant decrease in turbot prices in Europe principally Spain. led to
caution by potential new investors in Chile who decided to wait for more clear and
consistent market signals irrespective of the business profitability.
Currently, however, turbot is technically consolidated in Chile and is moving into
higher production scales. Additionally, aspects that can considerably reduce production
costs such as water reuse and complementary semi-intensive larvae culture based on
copepods which will increase a good pigmentation, are being optimized.

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The following is a summary of the units presently operating Fig. 1..

A. There are two hatcheries operating in Chiles centralnorthern region.
A.1. The Granjamar Hatchery, located in Tongoy, Region IV 308S., formerly the
pilot hatchery, with the capacity to produce 150,000 juvenilesryear.
A.2. The Tecnofish Hatchery, located in Las Cruces, Region V 338S., a full
commercial unit, with the capacity to produce 500,000 juvenilesryear.
At present, the units produce around 450,000 68 g juvenilesryear in 3 months, with
no more than 10% abnormal fish malformed plus unpigmented.. They employ combined intensive with semi-intensive larvae rearing systems.
B. There are two on-growing units also in Chiles centralnorthern region.
B.1. The Granjamar on-growing facility located in Tongoy, Region IV 308S., Pilot
Unit, capacity is around 40 tonsryear.
B.2. The Seafood Resources Chile SRC. on-growing facility, located in Los Molles,
Region V 328S., a full commercial-scale unit, which presently produces around 300
tonsryear. It is increasing its production capacity to around 500 tonsryear.
Principal products from these on-growing units are baby turbot around 0.5 kg fish.,
regular 1.52.5 kg, fish and premium over 2.5 kg. These are sold principally as whole
fresh, whole frozen, frozen fillets, basically to Europe and the USA; and there is a small
fraction going directly to Latin America, Japan and the domestic market.
There is increasing interest among Chilean investors, principally in the aquaculture
and fishery sectors as well as in neighboring countries, to explore and eventually invest
in turbot operations.

Fig. 1. Production of turbot in Chile, between 1989 and 1997. Enclosed pilot Granjamar. and commercial
Tecnofish. hatcheries, and pilot Granjamar. and commercial on-growing SRC..

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69

3. Flatfish project
This initial turbot project generated the first flatfish production facilities operating in
the Southern Hemisphere and also established the conditions to continue the Chilean
aquaculture diversification process.
As a consequence of this successful process and taking advantage of its experience,
facilities and trained personnel, Fundacion
has initiated a program to optimize and
diversify flatfish rearing in the country by adding new species, regions and technologies
to Chilean aquaculture Silva et al., 1994..
The new development Program of around US$2,000,000 seeks to improve turbot
rearing through the use of copepods in semi-intensive larvae rearing and the development of water recirculation in on-growing units Figs. 2 and 3.. The program also aims
to develop andror adapt the culture technology for Chilean flounder Paralichthys
adspersus ., hirame Paralichthys oliaceus. and Atlantic halibut Hippoglossus
hippoglossus. in different regions of the country.
Hirame and Chilean flounder juvenile production are being developed in the Fundacions
Tongoy R & D center Fig. 4., where the first broodstock for both species has
been established. The first production of Chilean flounder came to about 20,000
juveniles, which far exceeded the 4,000 goal considered in the project. The hirame
broodstock spawned in 1998, earlier than planned, and the first production came to
about 15,000 juveniles.
The juveniles of these species are sent to pilot on-growing centers operated in
agreement with the University Arturo Prat in Iquique 208S. for hirame Fig. 5. and
University Andres
Bello in Quintay 338S. for Chilean flounder Fig. 6.. Both units are

Fig. 2. View of semi-intensive culture system of turbot larvae with copepods in Los Molles 328S..

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A. Alial, J. Manrquezr
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Fig. 3. View of recirculation system of turbot on-growing unit in Tongoy 308S..

operating and they propose to obtain rearing technologies for both species under Chilean
conditions. A trial to rear Chilean flounder in sea cages is also considered in the project.
Asian countries, and in particular Japan, are the potential markets for these species in the
near future.
The basic know-how for these developments is based on FCHs experience and on
Ryan Murashiges Hawaiian consultant. specific support in hirame.

Fig. 4. View of Granjamars turbot, hirame and Chilean flounder hatchery, Tongoy 308S..

A. Alial, J. Manrquezr
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71

Fig. 5. View of hirame on-growing unit in Iquique 208S..

The Atlantic halibut situation is a little bit different. Both hatchery and on-growing
pilot units have been installed in agreement with the University of Magallanes in Punta
Arenas, Region XII 538S. Fig. 7.. The objective is to transfer and adapt halibut
technology. In this case, the project received initial technical support from Mannin
Seafarms and then from R & R Finfish Development, Canada Sean Raymond..

Fig. 6. View of Chilean flounder on-growing unit in Quintay 338S..

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Fig. 7. View of Atlantic halibut farm in Punta Arenas 538S..

The potential for this species in Chiles Austral Zone is great given the environmental
characteristics of the more than 1000 km of coastal area. And at present a broodstock
unit is being established satisfactorily in Punta Arenas while the pilot facility is being
built.
Aside from all these technical aspects of the program, a full-team of specialists is in
charge of market research and economic evaluation for the different initiatives considered in the project. With these elements, business outlooks will be prepared at the end of
the project for all the species.
This optimization and diversification project involves twelve private companies
interested in flatfish rearing, the national agency FONDEF, three Universities and
Fundacion
Chile, which acts as coordinator. Also, the project is developing five pilot
units in the country involving 20 national researchers and technicians and more than 20
workers. Project reports are prepared and appear on FCHs Internet pages
www.fundch.cl..
FCH expects that this integrated effort will produce the following.
1. Feasible new aquaculture business opportunities for different regions of the country,
with documented technologies.
2. Skilled and trained managers and technicians able to administer the commercial and
technical aspects of the new ventures.
3. Active and focused cooperation between privately owned companies, technology
transfer institutions and universities which contribute to an effective and efficient
process for obtaining new aquaculture developments.
4. Conclusions
1. After 8 years of systematic and sustained development, Chile has demonstrated that
the technology of turbot culture has been successfully transferred and adapted,

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73

producing at present 450,000 juvenilesryear and 450 tonsryear with expansion plans
under development.
2. The turbot technology initially introduced has been a strong diversification factor
allowing new flatfish rearing developments in the country, focused on species with
high economic value and introducing new regions of Chile to aquaculture.
3. Problems occurring during this development emphasize the need to give more
importance in the future to market evaluations and the development of market
strategies to anticipate changes and trends that can directly affect the expectations for
this kind of project.

Acknowledgements
We would like to thank the turbot companies for providing their production statistics
and also Carla Wood for the English revision. FONDEF Project D96i1068 finances this
work.

References
Alvial, A., 1991a. Aquaculture in Chilean enclosed coastal seas. Management and prospects. Marine Pollution
Bulletin 23.
Alvial, A., 1991b. Aquaculture in Chilean enclosed coastal seas. Management and prospects. EMECS 90,
789792.
Alvial, A., 1994a. Turbot y abalon. Mucho mas
que el cultivo de dos especies Turbot and abalone. Much
more than the culture of two species.. Aquanoticias Internacional 22, 3440.
Alvial, A., 1994b. Situation and potential of turbot farming in Chile. In: Lavens, P., Remmerswaal, R. Eds..,
Turbot Culture: Problems and Prospects. European Aquaculture Society, Special Publication No. 22, Gent,
Belgium, p. 216.
Expopesca 92, Special Edition. Aquanoticias Internacional. Fundacion
Chile, 1992, 56 pp.
Munita, C., 1993. Despegue del cultivo de turbot en Chile Turbot culture takes off in Chile.. Aquanoticias
Internacional 16, 2835.
Silva, A., Henrquez,
C., Munita, C., 1994. Desafo

del lenguado: de cultivo experimental pasar a etapa piloto

Challenging Chilean flounder. From research to pilot scale.. Aquanoticias Internacional 22, 4251.