UNAB Carries Out One of Chile’s Largest Sea Urchin Reseeding Efforts – A Boost for Small-Scale Fisheries in the Valparaíso Region

As part of a joint effort to protect marine ecosystems and support artisanal fishing, Universidad Andrés Bello (UNAB) – through its Marine Research Center in Quintay (CIMARQ), part of the School of Life Sciences – led one of the largest red sea urchin (Loxechinus albus) reseeding initiatives ever undertaken on the Chilean coast.

This effort took place within the Management and Exploitation Area for Benthic Resources (AMERB) overseen by the Pichicuy Artisanal Fishermen’s Union, where 25,000 red sea urchin juveniles produced by CIMARQ as part of the Regional Program were introduced.

The reseeding day brought together members of the fishermen’s union and CIMARQ’s technical team, culminating after months of coordination and logistical problem-solving – particularly related to the safe transportation and planting of the juveniles in a coastal environment exposed to ocean conditions.

Juan Manuel Estrada, Director of CIMARQ, emphasized: “The fishermen identified urchin reseeding as a top priority, so this intervention strengthens our commitment to them and to the responsible management of this resource.” He added: “These juvenile sea urchins will not only increase future harvests once they reach legal size for commercialization, but will also enhance the spawning biomass as they mature – helping to restore and sustain the urchin population in the AMERB of Pichicuy.”

Scientific Innovation Behind the Reseeding

The cultivation process was led by Alejandra Cabezas, Head of Production for the Regional Program, who, together with a specialized team, optimized the production technology. “We implemented innovative protocols that significantly improved growth and survival rates. The juveniles grew at a monthly rate of 2 to 4 mm, with survival exceeding 95% over an 18-month period,” Cabezas explained. This reseeding effort offers a concrete contribution to marine sustainability and the quality of life for coastal communities.

A Collaborative Effort with Artisanal Fishers

The initiative also reinforced CIMARQ’s relationship with local communities, promoting collaborative practices that engaged artisanal fishers in both resource conservation and environmental education. The Pichicuy reseeding follows a similar effort previously carried out in Quintay, helping to establish a replicable model for other coastal communities in Chile.

Viterbo Ibacache, President of the Pichicuy Fishermen’s Union, described the intervention as a milestone for his community: “Today we have 25,000 more sea urchins in our management area, which in time will grow to legal size and be ready for harvesting. This joint effort between CIMARQ and the fishermen aims to increase marine resources in areas where we’re also battling threats like the illegal harvesting of loco, limpets, and sea urchins.”

This joint activity represents a significant step toward more sustainable marine resource management and greater economic and social well-being for the coastal communities that depend on them.

This type of work has become a tradition for CIMARQ. Last year, the center also reseeded 25,000 red sea urchin juveniles in the AMERB of Quintay, thanks to the support of the Regional Government of Valparaíso and the Independent Artisanal Fishers Union of Quintay.

Early Results Confirm Reseeding Success

Just days after the Pichicuy reseeding, CIMARQ researchers confirmed that the sea urchins had adapted successfully to their new environment. This initial monitoring provided encouraging data and validated the reseeding protocols – supporting their use in other areas with similar conditions.

Claudia Navarrete Taito, researcher at CIMARQ, noted: “We were grateful to witness the adaptation of the red sea urchin juveniles planted just days ago in the AMERB of Pichicuy. This assessment is historic. Despite the area’s challenging oceanographic conditions, the juveniles – cultivated at CIMARQ and released into the natural environment – remained in place and adapted to the local conditions.”

She added, “These results suggest that other areas with similar characteristics may also be well suited for future red sea urchin reseeding efforts.”