Experimental transplantation of Durvillaea incurvata in southern Chile: implication for its restocking

Abstract

Durvillaea incurvata is a brown macroalgae of ecological, social, and economic importance subjected to a drastic increase in harvesting pressure over the last decade in Chile. In this study, we performed an experimental transplantation of juveniles of D. incurvata, assessing the potential use as a restocking technique. Different types of restocking devices and attaching substrates were constructed. Differences in the D. incurvata re-attachment probability among the substrates and devices were not observed, and a high percentage of juvenile mortality was observed. However, reattached juveniles increased their length, holdfast diameter, and weight. The experiment revealed that juveniles of D. incurvata have a good capacity for re-attachment and growth on artificial substrates after transplantation. This technique could be used for the species stock enhancement, although further studies are needed to optimize the process and increase the juvenile's re-attachment.