Evaluación del desempeño de la primera reserva marina de Chile, La Rinconada, en el ámbito de la conservación de su especie focal, el ostión del norte Argopecten purpuratus

We evaluated the performance of the first marine reserve in Chile, created in La Rinconada, Antofagasta, based on biotic indicators (abundance; population structure and recruitment success) of its focal species the scallop Argopecten purpuratus. This was attained by analyzing species population information, acquired during 2001, 2002, 2005 and 2009, by direct assessment diving, and on spat settlement into artificial collectors. The results show variation in the density of the specimens, which strongly affects the total abundance of the population, with a significant decrease in their average size in time, which is a decrease of individuals on the minimum legal size (90 mm) from 2.6 x 10(6) individuals in 2001 to 1.5 x 10(5) individual in 2009. This reduction has generated a drastic decline in their spawning stock, which has seriously impacted on the uptake of seed, descending from 15,340 ind. collector(-1) in 2001 to 1,157 ind. collector-1 in 2009. The analysis of these results through 3 indicators, indicates that the measures of conservation have failed to recover its density and size structure, to enhance the availability of seeds and breeding adults, which were the main purposes for the creation of this marine reserve. While the main reason that inspired its creation was the conservation of the resource A. purpuratus, this measure has resulted in increased interest for illegal exploitation. The need for implementing measures that allow effective participation is concluded, with equity regarding resource utilization, considering that after 20 years of fishing ban, regulatory measures imposed by the State, have not had the expected results.