An unprecedented seaweed cultivation project in Puerto San Julián, Santa Cruz, is driving marine conservation in Argentina.
This is the initiative of La Fundación Por el Mar, an entity that launched the country’s first experience of giant kelp cultivation, a type of algae.
It combines ecosystem protection with scientific research and productive development.
The initiative is supported by the Secretariat of State for Fisheries and Aquaculture and the Provincial Agrarian Council of Santa Cruz, as both organizations promoted this pioneering project of brown algae cultivation in Patagonian waters.
An unprecedented seaweed cultivation in Argentina
The seaweed cultivation project by the NGO specifically works with cachiyuyo or giant kelp (Macrocystis pyrifera).
This macroalgae is particularly relevant because it forms extensive underwater forests. These can reach between 40 and 70 meters in length, as under optimal conditions, giant kelp grows up to 50 centimeters daily.
Therefore, the species is essential for protecting the Patagonian marine ecosystem, as it provides shelter, food, and breeding areas for numerous species.
Jonathan Behm, responsible for the project’s marine infrastructure development, explained that the foundation promotes productive initiatives that prevent deforestation of natural forests.
“My story is linked to a family dedicated to artisanal fishing, and we know that these forests are essential because they protect and sustain biodiversity,” he expressed.
The unexpected results of the project
The initial results of the seaweed cultivation exceeded initial projections. The first farm was installed in May and the seaweeds have already surpassed three and a half meters in length.
“We were seeing growth rates of 40 cm per week. It grows a lot, every time you go to the farm it’s different,” Behm detailed. The team began partial harvesting to measure more precisely the productive processes.
It should be noted that the project is in a constant experimental stage, as it is the first experience of its kind in Argentina.
“We don’t have manuals on this, we don’t have papers or documents telling us this will grow this much in Argentina,” Behm explained.
There is experience in Puerto Montt, Chile, but the conditions change. “It’s another sea, the Pacific, we are on the Atlantic, so there are different nutrients,” he clarified.
The scientific process and the educational projection of the project
Seaweed cultivation reproduces the plants through spores, similar to certain fungi. The process occurs in tanks where light and water are strictly controlled.
Biologist Milagros Schiebelbein leads the PEM laboratory and Hatchery, making her responsible for the project’s scientific control.
Thus, Behm develops the marine infrastructure alongside volunteers who work pro bono.
The team plans to bring the knowledge acquired to schools and universities. The goal is to raise awareness about the importance of marine conservation and the protection of the fauna of Puerto San Julián Bay.
Key aspects of the project:
- First farm installed in May with 3.5-meter seaweeds
- Growth rates of 40 cm weekly
- Controlled reproduction by spores in the laboratory
- Development of experimental marine infrastructure
- Biannual reports with detailed scientific data
Behm emphasized the importance of institutional support. “We prepare reports every six months detailing all the steps of the process, the studies conducted, the different variables that arise during the farm installation,” he stated.
“Without the support of the Secretariat of Fisheries and the Agrarian Council, this project would not be possible,” he added.
La Fundación Por el Mar announced that in February it will conduct the first pilot harvest. This milestone represents a significant advancement for the development of sustainable productive alternatives on the Santa Cruz coast.
