Abstract

The fishery for Argopecten purpuratus in northern Chile, which collapsed because of overfishing, has been replaced by aquaculture of the species. In 1998, cultures produced 16,474 t, while the highest landings recorded in the entire history of the fishery was in 1984 (one year after the 1983 El Nino) with 5275 t. The figures for stock size of the species in the past and at present, show that the wild stock of scallops today represents not more than 10-15% of the total stock of the species within Chile, with most of the individuals being kept in sea farms. Thus it is concluded that the scallop already represents a domestic species and, considering the occurrence and development of selection practices in sea farms, biodiversity within the species appears to be at risk. With the development of culture practices over its entire range, there is little use in trying to recover a wild fishery for this scallop. It is urgent, however, that selected natural beds be protected in order to preserve genetic diversity.