Evolution of PSP Toxicity in Shellfish from the Beagle Channel (Tierra del Fuego, Argentina): An Overview

摘要

The Beagle Channel is an interoceanic passage located in the southernmost region of South America, spanning over 280 km with a general east-west direction, connecting the waters of the Pacific and Atlantic oceans (Fig. 2.1). The international boundarybetween Chile and Argentina goes almost through the centre of the channel. The biggest settlement on the channel is Ushuaia in Argentina followed by Puerto Williams in Chile, two of the southernmost settlements of the world.Shellfish harvesting activities for human consumption have been carried out for many years in this area. The existence of accessible natural beds (from intertidal and subtidal zones) and the quality of the molluscs harvested have been the main factors for the exploitation of this resource by fishermen. The first experience with culture of mussels (Mytilus edulis chilensis) in Argentinean waters of the Channel began in the early 1990s with excellent results. In recent years the number of production units has been increasing, using raft culture or long-line culture systems. Mussel production in the Beagle Channel can be considered as the southernmost production sites in the world (Ministerio de Agricultura).