Production and economic assessment of giant kelp Macrocystis pyrifera cultivation for abalone feed in the south of Chile

Kelp biomass availability for mass abalone cultivation remains a critical issue in Chile. The technical and economic feasibility of a commercial scale kelp farming activity has not been established. This study describes the production and economic results of a pilot scale unit installed in southern Chile. Our results show 25 kg m−1 of production over a 9-month spring-summer period, and 16.2 kg m−1 during the autumn-winter period. These values indicate that a total biomass production of 41.3 kg (wet) m−1 year−1 can be obtained by placing the culture lines at 4 m intervals. High quality animal food-grade plants with a 9% protein content, over 5 m in length were harvested. Sensitivity analysis showed that by cultivating 30–50 ha with a market value of US$ 78 ton−1, a return on investment can be made after the first year.