Abstract

Historically in Chile the aquaculture has been salmon and mussel farming, but the Chilean government, encouraged the diversification of aquaculture through the introduction of several flatfish such as Turbot (Psetta maxima), Hirame (Paralichthys olivaceus) and Atlantic Halibut (Hippoglossus hippoglossus), the latter was introduced in the Chilean Patagonia (53ºS). In 1998, the first 25 wild broodstock and 800 juveniles arrived to the Center for Mariculture Bahía Laredo (CCMBL) belonging to the University of Magallanes in Punta Arenas city. Thus began the development of the production technology of Atlantic halibut in Chile. For eighteen years various projects that allowed cultivation technology of this flatfish developed, which include; broodstock management, fertilization, incubation, yolk sac stage, larval rearing, metamorphosis, weaning, juveniles rearing, grown out, harvest and marketing of the product tests. State investment to develop the culture of this species was US $ 2 million. Currently has installed the first private company producing of Atlantic halibut in recirculation system and is expected in the coming years will continue at least two more companies, to develop the production of juveniles in hatchery and on growing respectively. This paper details the history of its arrival to Chile, and examines the methodological processes developed for the successful rearing. The study also gives a review of other methods used for the cultivation of Halibut, comparing the methods currently used in Chile. Its subsequent cultivation in the extreme south has converted the species in a lucrative source of income.