Pacific oyster (Crassostrea gigas) aquaculture production in Chile: A review

Abstract

The aquaculture of Pacific or Japanese oyster (Crassostrea gigas) culture in Chile has been developed for almost five decades. Today, it is the most widely cultivated mollusk on the planet, given its introduction in more than 60 countries to produce high-quality protein. The Pacific oyster shows rapid growth in aquaculture production strategies in Chile. Pacific oyster farming is carried out along the entire coast of Chile, being a consolidated productive activity of economic interest in the southern part. By the end of the 1990s, the appearance of norovirus depressed its production, and some small-scale aquaculture producers currently sell their oyster production on the beach. Despite its extensive production, Chile has a significant information gap regarding this resource. This review addresses this gap and examines oyster culture in Chile, emphasizing the introduction stage of the species, production stages, culture methods, diseases, and regulatory, commercial, and social implications. Future challenges for Pacific oyster aquaculture include the production of juveniles in hatcheries to support aquaculture farmers and consolidate this species for the diversification of aquaculture in some coastal areas of Chile under conditions of productive management, simple technologies, and low initial investment. Conditions for the development of small-scale aquaculture systems. Finally, strengthening marketing actions will enable aquaculture farmers to move from a national scenario to the current demand in international markets.