In this work, the cultivation of river shrimp was implemented through intensive use of solar radiation for the sustainable development of the Camarones, a village in Chile. An aquaculture production plant was built under water recirculation to produce 8000 k of river shrimp and rainbow trout per year, in a 25:75 ratio, respectively. This was developed taking into account (1) the concept of how to help resilient communities, considering the principles of the circular economy; (2) that the cultivation of these species will use solar water treatment technology to reduce arsenic content present in the natural waters of the Camarones River; and (3) how to add value to the residues obtained from the production plant for better agriculture and to have water to preserve the ecosystem. In addition, this initiative will rely on solar energy and radiation to produce electrical energy and a photochemical reaction to remove arsenic from the water. This work complies with 10 of the 11 principles of the Circular Economy, making it a potential alternative for all areas of the world that have similar characteristics.

The cyanobacterium Nostoc sp. contains considerable amounts of protein, iron, and calcium that could mitigate the problems of anemia and malnutrition in humans. However, the nutritional value of the edible species Nostoc sphaericum Vaucher ex Bornet & Flahault, which grows in the Moquegua region, is unknown. Descriptive research was developed, and samples were obtained from the community of Aruntaya, located in the region of Moquegua. Water samples were taken at two different points (spring and reservoir), and samples of the cyanobacteria were taken in the reservoir. The design used was completely randomized, with three repetitions. Sixteen characteristics associated with the water collected at two points were evaluated, and from the nutritional point of view, seven characteristics were evaluated in the collected algae. The physicochemical characteristics were determined using methods established in the Codex Alimentarius. For the morphological characterization at the macroscopic level, it was observed that the seaweed collected was spherical in shape, grayish-green in color, soft to the touch, and palatable. After carrying out the physicochemical and morphological characterization of the collected samples, it was verified that all were of N. sphaericum. When comparing the sixteen characteristics related to water at the two collection sites, highly significant differences (p < 0.01) were observed for most of the variables evaluated. The average data of the characteristics of the algae showed protein values of 28.18 ± 0.33%, carbohydrates of 62.07 ± 0.69%, fat of 0.71 ± 0.02%, fiber of 0.91 ± 0.02%, ash of 7.68 ± 0.10%, and moisture of 0.22 ± 0.01%. Likewise, calcium reported an average value of 377.80 ± 1.43 mg/100 g and iron of 4.76 ± 0.08 mg/100 g. High correlations (positive and negative) were obtained by evaluating seven characteristics associated with the reservoir water where the algae grew in relation to eight nutritional characteristics of the algae. In relation to the nutritional value, the amounts of protein, iron, and calcium exceed the main foods of daily intake. Therefore, it could be considered a nutritious food to combat anemia and malnutrition.

Several species of the planktonic free-living genus Oithona have been successfully used in the larviculture of marine fish and shrimp. However, few studies have been published that allow us to estimate the potential of Oithona nana culture under controlled conditions. This work evaluated the effect of the microalgae Isochrysis galbana and Chaetoceros calcitrans as single (200,000 cells/mL) and mixed diets (100,000 + 100,000 cells/mL) on population and individual growth, ingestion rate, number of spawnings, fertility, development time by stage, and sex ratio of O. nana. We cultured this copepod at 28 ± 0.5 °C, 35 PSU salinity, 125 lux, and 12:12 photoperiod. Results showed that diet had no effect on the final population level (6273–7966 ind/L) or on individual growth, nor on sex ratio, with less males than females. With C. calcitrans, O. nana had a higher filtration rate (57 ng C/ind/day). On the other hand, a mixed diet induced a higher number of spawns (0.4 events/day) and nauplii per spawn (23 ind). Similarly, a single or mixed diet, containing I. galbana, accelerated the development rate by 6.33–7.00 days. We concluded that O. nana can be cultured with both microalgae, indicating its potential use in an intensive system for production. However, more research is required to improve the productivity of O. nana rearing.

The transport of live fish for aquaculture is a key issue in the domestication of new species. National level programs were developed in Peru for controlled repopulation of Peruvian grunt (Anisotremus scapularis), reared in extensive systems or ongrown in floating cages, but these were limited by inadequate knowledge of the best transport parameters to ensure survival. This study aims to identify the effect of low-density (21.18 ± 4.38) medium (31.77 ± 6.57) and high-density in (42.36 ± 8.76 kg m⁻³), corresponding to 6 (48), 9 (72), and 12 (96 ind·bag⁻¹) ind·L⁻¹ during the transport time (8, 10, and 12 hr), on survival. Also seawater temperature, dissolved oxygen, pH, ammoniacal nitrogen (NH₃N), ammonia (NH₃), and ammonium (NH₄) were recorded at the end of transport. Survival at 8 and 10 hr at low-density was similar, but decreased at 12 hr. In contrast, all densities showed a greater effect after 12 hr of transport with 61.11 ± 17.35; 67.13 ± 7.13, and 70.49 ± 4.70% survival, respectively. Finally, the influence of the variables analyzed to contribute to survival and the sum of these, plus other parameters that were not measured, such as stress, leads to the conclusion of between 8 and 10 hr of transport time and not exceeding stocking density of 72 ind/bag (31.77 ± 6.57 kg m⁻³) should be used.

Given the overexploitation of fisheries and the growing consumption of sea products, aquaculture is emerging as an alternative to meet the demand for protein at regional, national, and global levels. In northern Chile, the foothills of the Andes offer an opportunity for sustainable economic diversification. In this study, results of a rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) culture in a recirculation system are presented, analyzing its growth and performance under altitude conditions. The research was carried out in Copaquilla, a small area in the foothills of northern Chile, 3000 m above sea level. Five thousand 15 g juvenile trout were acquired and transported by land from the Rio Blanco fish farm, successfully traveling more than 2100 km. During the 20-month-long culture, several growth parameters were evaluated, including specific growth rate, percentage of weight growth, feed conversion factor, survival, and Fulton’s condition factor. All these parameters were within the normal growth range for trout, evidencing good-quality growth of the organisms. The results offer evidence that rainbow trout farming at 3000 m above sea level is viable and presents a viable performance, opening new opportunities for aquaculture in northern Chile.

This study monitored the conditioning of rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) broodstock in a closed culture system at 3000 m above sea level (m.a.s.l.) to evaluate the feasibility of this culture method and assess the first spawning of the species under these conditions as an alternative production route for the communities present in the foothills of Cordillera de los Andes, northern Chile. A total of 120 specimens with an initial weight of 170 g were used. They were maintained in a recirculation aquaculture system (RAS) composed of protected circular tanks, decanters, a biofilter, and oxygenation equipment. Fish growth was monitored through parameters such as specific growth rate (SGR), feed conversion ratio (FCR) and percent weight growth (PWG), parameters that were maintained within those reported by other authors for this species. The first successful spawning occurred after 12 months of broodstock conditioning, yielding 8570 eggs, of which 6569 hatched successfully. The success of this conditioning and spawning not only broadens the understanding of adaptability to high-altitude environments, but also provides evidence for the potential diversification of productive activities in foothill areas through aquaculture.