AUTHOR=Zertuche-González José A. , Sandoval-Gil Jose M. , Sánchez-Barredo Mariana , Altamirano-Gómez Zarko , Guzmán-Calderón José M. , Rangel-Mendoza Laura K. , Ladah Lydia B. , Cruz-López Ricardo , Yarish Charles 

TITLE=Eisenia arborea (Areschoung) domestication and mariculture development on the Pacific coast of Baja California, México

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Marine Science

VOLUME=Volume 9 - 2022

YEAR=2022

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/marine-science/articles/10.3389/fmars.2022.932534

DOI=10.3389/fmars.2022.932534

ISSN=2296-7745

ABSTRACT=Eisenia arborea (sensu Ecklonia arborea) is the kelp with the greatest latitudinal distribution on the Northeastern Pacific Coast. It is harvested in Mexico in small amounts for abalone farm fodder and occasionally exported to Asia for human consumption. Because the high-energy environment where it naturally grows limits its sustainable harvest, we explored the domestication and cultivation of this kelp on the west coast of Baja California, Mexico. The life history of E. arborea was completed in the laboratory following traditional methods for kelp cultivation. Generally, gametophytes became reproductive approximately 50 days after spore release. Sporophytes were visible to the naked eye after 80 days. When sporophytes reached 2-3 cm, they were transplanted to two sites on long-line systems: in an open bay (Todos Santos Bay) and in a shallow coastal lagoon (San Quintin Bay). At both sites, full differentiation occurred six to eight months after deployment with fertility within a year.  Once individuals reached maximum size (when tissue loss exceeded growth), blades were harvested by pruning. Blade re-growth and new blade addition were measured monthly.  Pruned individuals reached the same weight as those that were not pruned in three months. Based on these results, a seasonal seeding program was implemented in a bay where the presence of Eisenia is rare due to the lack of hard substrate but which might provide appropriate conditions for kelp cultivation (Santa Maria Bay).  Cultures were deployed at three different depths and growth was correlated with season, depth and temperature. Only cultures seeded in winter developed successfully at this site. This study shows that the culture of E. arborea in a variety of ocean conditions is possible, however site selection and seasonality are important to consider.  Because E. arborea is perennial, it can be harvested periodically during the year thereby increasing yield, and because it is the warmest tolerant kelp species, it is an ideal target for ocean farming and commercial cultivation as ocean climate changes.