Associative Research Program Basal Funding for Scientific and Technological Centers of Excellence Technical Progress Report Copa

ASSOCIATIVE RESEARCH PROGRAM BASAL FUNDING FOR SCIENTIFIC AND TECHNOLOGICAL CENTERS OF EXCELLENCE

TECHNICAL PROGRESS REPORT COPAS Sur-Austral: OCEANOGRAPHIC APPLICATIONS FOR THE SUSTAINABLE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT OF THE SOUTHERN REGION OF CHILE

- Concepción, May 22, 2013 -

REPORT PERIOD : FIRST PHASE OF THE DEVELOPMENT PLAN

PERIOD COVERED : From 1 April 2012 to 31 March 2013 (INDICATE EXACT DATES)

I. PRESENTATION

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

The Development Plan of the Center for Oceanographic Research in the eastern South Pacific (COPAS) within the Basal Funding Program of CONICYT was designed to respond to the scientific, technological, productive, social, environmental, and educational needs of Chile’s southern zone, Regions X (Los Lagos) and especially XI (Aysén).

COPAS Sur-Austral identified three strategic areas of development in the Chilean Patagonia : 1) Monitoring and Forecasting, 2) Fisheries, and 3) Aquaculture, aiming at bridging science of excellence with existing gaps in knowledge and technological transfer required by both the private and the public sectors. The development of our program considered 4 main research-oriented lines that converge in addressing the strategic areas mentioned above from a multidisciplinary point of view, promoting an active interaction among teams and thus contributing significantly to the integration of results, and generating scientific information on Patagonian fjord ecology leading to a better understanding of the structure and dynamics of such complex marine environments. The four research lines are: Line 1: Regional Oceanic Information System; Line 2: Environmental Variability associated to natural and anthropogenic freshwater flow disturbances in the XI Region; Line 3: Ecosystem variability and Demersal and Benthic Fisheries; and Line 4: Environmental Investigation and Biotechnological Innovation for Sustainable Aquaculture.

Within the 3 strategic areas, COPAS Sur-Austral established seven central objectives , as follows: 1) To create a Continuous Oceanographic Observation Platform with state-of-the-art technology, leading to the development of analytical and predictive capacities of key oceanographic processes for the economic development of southern Chile. 2) To generate forecasts of key oceanographic and meteorological variables that lead to the optimization of connectivity and operations of regional productive activities (navigation, aquaculture, fisheries, and tourism). 3) To evaluate the effects of variations in freshwater input on the marine ecosystems in Regions X and XI. 4) To evaluate the effects generated by natural changes and/or anthropogenic alterations on the ecosystem associated with demersal fisheries and benthic management areas in critical geographic zones. 5) To develop a forecasting model that integrates oceanographic variables with cellular and molecular detection techniques for detecting harmful planktonic microorganisms that could affect aquaculture centers in Region XI. 6) To train human resources of excellence in applied areas of oceanography and strengthen their connection with public and private sectors through a program of technological transfer, training, and outreach. 7) To develop products/technological services for the public and private sectors based on scientific research aimed at increasing efficiency and competitiveness.

Below we summarize our most relevant results within the context of the 7 central objectives.

RESEARCH : The most relevant scientific results achieved during Year 5 are:

Objective 1: To create a Continuous Oceanographic Observation Platform with state-of-the-art technology

Physical oceanography surveys focused on both, spatial variability combining different observational strategies and temporal variability mainly based on mooring observations, covering several places: Reloncaví Fjord (~41° 40’S), Corcovado Gulf in the southern part of the Chiloé inland sea (~43° 30’S), Aysén Fjord (~45°20’S), the Puyuhuapi Channel (45ºS), the mouth of the Baker River and the Martinez Channel (48ºS), and the Magellan

Strait (~53°S). Our approach has involved the deployment of a relatively large amount of oceanographic equipment, the use of several measuring platforms and the coordination of different research groups (R+D Lines 1, 3 and 4).

The increasing need to generate high quality oceanographic observations led the Sur-Austral to apply for CONICYT funding to start a Patagonian Oceanographic Observation Network (ROP in Spanish). The first observation node of the network is thus been funded thanks to a grant from the Fondo de Equipamiento Científico y Tecnológico (FONDEQUIP). The aim of this first node is to serve as a pilot program for the network, as well as to provide critical oceanographic and meteorological data, in real time, in a fjord (Reloncaví Fjord) that has been subject to heavy use by the aquaculture industry (R+D Line 4). The node consists of two components: 1) A land based meteorological station, which is capable of measuring wind speed and direction, relative humidity, air temperature, barometric pressure and photosynthetic active radiation; and 2) An oceanographic mooring, a Land-Ocean-Buoy Observatory (LOBO, manufactured by Satlantic in Canada) capable of measuring surface properties including water temperature, salinity, chlorophyll concentration, nitrate concentration, dissolved oxygen, colored dissolved organic matter and turbidity. The node was set up near the town of Cochamó, roughly half way along the Reloncaví fjord , on March 9th, 2013 (Fig. 1). The data collected by the node is being quality-controlled and a bi-monthly maintenance program will start shortly. As configured, the real-time transmission and online publication system for the data is vendor-dependent. During the next year, we will work to integrate the different data feeds into an online data display system that will allow the use of instrumentation manufactured by other vendors. Fig. 1

This system, in turn, will allow greater flexibility to design and deploy other observation nodes around Patagonia using existing technologies. This aspect is critical as different industry, governmental or other actors will require a different set of variables, sampling rates, deployment lengths, etc. We are working on modular designs that preserve real-time capabilities and return high quality data but provide a wide range of configuration options and can be acquired, deployed and maintained at low cost.

During Year 5, R+D Line 1 focused on the study of the Boca del Guafo and Corcovado Gulf regions. These poorly explored regions connect the Chiloé Inland Sea (CIS) with the open ocean. The CIS is a large basin formed by three main sub-basins that collect the freshwater discharges from several rivers and fjords. The complete CIS can be considered as a large estuarine system. At the continental shelf, just outside the CIS, dissolved oxygen (DO) is rather low, typical values can be less than 2 mL L -1 below 150 m depth. Based on two oceanographic surveys in the Boca del Guafo and Corcovado Gulf regions, we confirmed the presence of low DO values (< 2 mL L-1) below 150 m at Boca del Guafo. These low values of DO are typical along the Chilean coast and they are related to Equatorial Subsurface Water transported southward by the Peru-Chile Undercurrent (PCU). Natural disturbances of the oxycline depth over the continental shelf related, for instance, to strong upwelling events or strengthening of the PCU, may contribute to the decreasing of the subsurface DO in the Boca del Guafo and the Corcovado Gulf regions modifying the water quality in the CIS. These changes may be relevant, therefore, to the intensive aquaculture activities that take place in this region, particularly in the Corcovado Gulf. Nevertheless, subsurface values of DO, as the oxycline and pycnocline, are largely affected by semidiurnal tidal fluctuations.

Fig. 2

This variability was also confirmed by ocean glider observations carried out in the region. Observations from a cross channel transect in the Corcovado Gulf showed a large contrast between the east and west side of the Gulf. The figure below shows the measurements of temperature, salinity and dissolved oxygen made by the glider in the Corcovado Gulf between 5 and 12 November 2011 (left panel, Fig. 2), and its trajectory (right panel, Fig. 2) which was characterized by numerous loops due to the strong tidal currents. Near the surface, a low salinity layer (< 30 psu) was clearly present in the east side of the Gulf. Values of DO in the deeper layer (near 150 m depth) were relatively high > 4 mL L -1 in this transect. Observations carried out with our ocean glider during November 2011 in the Corcovado Gulf were consistent with the cross-gulf features and DO observed in this opportunity were also relatively high in all the water column (i.e. ~4 mL L -1 near 150 m depth). The high frequency disturbances difficult interpretation of short period transects observations. Data from a mooring installed at Corcovado Gulf are being analyzed and a new mooring is planned to be installed in the region during 2013, including DO sensors along with conductivity, temperature sensors and current profiles.

To evaluate the role that changes in the PCU may play on the DO variability near the Boca del Guafo, historical data of oxygen was analyzed and related to the southward transport of the PCU obtained from a regional numerical model. Results showed that during the austral winter lower values of DO are observed off Boca del Guafo and they are well correlated with the intensification of the poleward flow along the slope and continental shelf during this season. This low oxygen water penetrates the Boca del Guafo but were not observed in the interior part of the Corcovado Gulf.

R+D Line 4 investigated double diffusive (DDC) processes in Patagonian fjords and channels. A total of 583 hydrographic stations from the Patagonian fjord and channel region, collected during the years 1995 - 2011 by CIMAR cruises and new hydrographic data generated by COPAS Sur-Austral, occupied in all seasons of the year, were used in this study. Development of double diffusion was favored by the overlying of relatively fresh and cold waters over salty and warm waters. Fresh waters are frequently derived from glacial melting that influences the fjord either directly or through rivers. Salty waters are associated with Modified Subantarctic and Subantarctic Water. Double diffusion occurred as layering or DDC in 40% of the year-round data and as salt fingering in < 1%. Most vigorous DDC, as quantified by a) density ratios, b) Turner angles, and c) heat diffusivity (with maximum values of 5 x 10 -5 m 2 s -1), was found at depths between 20 and 70 m. Results indicated that DDC should be taken into account together with other mixing processes, e.g. shear instabilities from tidal and wind-driven flows, in biological and geochemical studies. The landward advection of Subantarctic Water provides heat to Patagonian fjords and channels and needs to be investigated in the context of climate change and atmospheric variability. This heat supply from the ocean could contribute to the natural cycle of glacier melting, as reported in many glaciers of the Northern and Southern Patagonia Icefield. A manuscript detailing these results is being prepared for PIO special issue Chilean Fjords: Evidence of double diffusion in Patagonian fjords and channels (Authors: Iván Pérez-Santos, José Garcés-Vargas, Wolfgang Schneider, Arnoldo Valle- Levinson, Sabrina Parra and Lauren Ross).

Research in the Puyuhuapi Channel aimed at characterizing the hydrography and meteorology of this channel and serve as baseline information for local fish farms which are numerous here, and for the initialization and validation of numerical models. During year 5, R+D Line 4 analyzed the data from the oceanographic/meteorological buoy installed in the Puyuhuapi channel and five seasonal hydrographic surveys. The Puyuhuapi channel has roughly a meridional orientation and is connected with oceanic waters via its southern termination and via the Jacaf channel in the north. Large variations in vertical stratification of the upper water column were observed throughout the year, differing from other fjords and channels of Patagonia, e.g. Reloncaví fjord, where a fresh surface layer is persistent. Stratification of the Puyuhuapi Channel water column is strongest during austral spring and summer and basically controlled by the freshwater flux from river runoff coming mainly from the Cisnes River, which originates in the Patagonian Andes, hence transporting snow and

glacier ice meltwater during this season into the channel. This river empties into the middle of the channel from the south, just west of the Puerto Cisnes village. This freshwater flux (300 m 3 s –1) combined with persistent southerly winds prevailing in this season not only lowered surface salinity in the entire channel but also split (at around 44º 45’S) the channel into a northern section with very low surface salinity (5–10 psu) and a southern section with medium surface salinity (15–20 psu). Stratification of the water column was sharply reduced during austral winter when river runoff decreased (200 m 3 s–1) and northerly winds transported oceanic water into the region via the Jacaf channel; surface salinities were in the order of 20 PSSU. These results are currently put together in a manuscript to be submitted to PIO special issue Chilean Fjords in mid-May 2013 (R+D Line 4). Time series of meteorological and oceanographic data are transmitted by the autonomous meteorological/oceanographic buoy to a server of the University of Concepción via radio frequency and Internet, once per hour, from where they are automatically added to the COPAS Sur-Austral web page in a near real-time fashion and made available to the public (http://www.sur-austral.cl/index.php/productos/series-de-tiempo-canal- puyuhuapi.html).

As informed in the previous report, with funding from the FONDEQUIP program at CONICYT, we have commissioned the design and construction of a 10.5 m vessel with capacity for 5 people and autonomy of 50 hours, which will be based at the COPAS Sur-Austral Laboratory in Caleta Tortel, and will strongly enhance our observational capabilities in the area. Since November 2012, the new platform is under construction. The scientific equipment on this new boat, built in wood and equipped with an aft A-frame and hydraulic winch with 2.5 ton capacity and 1000 m steel wire, includes a SeaBird SBE-55 CTD-Rosette system, Tucker trawl plankton net, and sediment coring equipment. We expect to launch this boat in May/June 2013.

Objective 2: Key oceanographic and meteorological variables that lead to the optimization of connectivity and operations of regional productive activities

The magnitude of the observational program of COPAS Sur-Austral has no precedent in coastal studies in Chile. The information generated (R+D Lines 1, 3 and 4) allowed us to gain important knowledge on circulation and prepare products than can be of direct interest for navigation (e.g., intensities of tidal currents and tide tables with sea level in the interior of the fjord) or for aquaculture (e.g., calculations related with the flushing time of the fjord). Data, data reports, tide-tables, background information as well as other information related to the study areas, can be accessed through the COPAS Sur-Austral web site (www.sur-austral.udec.cl) and/or are included in specific web pages: Reloncaví fjord (www.reloncavi.udec.cl); Aysén fjord (www.aysen.udec.cl); Puyuhuapi and Jacaf channels (http://sur-austral.udec.cl/index.php/fiordos-y-canales/puyuhuapi.html). Tide tables predictions for Reloncaví, Aysén and Puyuhuapi fjords, and Caleta Tortel are available to the public through our web site http://www.sur-austral.cl/index.php/productos/tablas-de-marea.html, and are being used by local communities and private companies. Sustained time-series observations become most relevant with regard to the new law for fisheries and aquaculture (Ley General de Pesca y Acuicultura) which requires continuous monitoring of water bodies.

The records obtained from the ROP described under objective 1 will be of free-access (real-time transmission and online publication system), and will be helpful in detecting oceanographic events such as decreases in dissolved oxygen content which is a key parameter for aquaculture. At present, the display system looks as follows (Fig. 3):

Fig. 3

We reported previously on our efforts in elaborating a bathymetric and geomorphologic fjords catalogue. Most geomorphological parameters are already calculated including digital elevation maps and drainage areas. The following two figures are examples for a digital elevation map for Aysén fjord (Fig. 4, upper panel), and the drainage area for the Puyuhuapi fjord (7659 Km 2) (Fig. 4, lower panel).

Fig. 4

This first phase of the catalogue will be presented on paper format to the scientific community in mid 2013 as soon as residence times for every fjord are obtained. This latter parameter is considered a key parameter for the salmon industry stakeholders (R+D Line 2). Phase I includes the following 7 fjords: Reloncaví, Comau, Puyuhuapi, Aysén, Quitralco, Cupquelán, and the Jacaf Channel, and during 2013 we plan to include the analysis and characterization of the following 13 additional fjords: Steffen, Mitchell, Arancibia, Amengual, Casma, Araya, Cohen, Chico, Albatros, Alejo, Marinelli, Aguilera, and Borcosky.

We also reported earlier on our estimation of carrying capacity using fuzzy logic models . Construction of a carrying capacity model for salmon aquaculture which integrates quantitative/qualitative information and expert knowledge is under construction. The MATLAB software required to achieve this objective was recently purchased (January, 2013). The use of fuzzy logic algorithms in the decision-making process was demonstrated to managers from the salmon industry during 2012 (R+D Line 2). A cooperation agreement between COPAS Sur-Austral and Marine Harvest will be signed during the next months and thereafter, databases from the industry will be used to test our model.

Objective 3: To evaluate the effects of variations in freshwater input on the marine ecosystems

R+D Line 4 has been studying ocean-glacier interactions in Jorge Montt Glacier . Understanding supply of heat to the terminus of melting glaciers is key to elucidate the role the ocean is playing in modulating loss of freshwater from the continents and to appropriately estimate present and future sea-level rise. Hydrographic and current velocity surveys conducted in the summer of 2010 and 2011, winter of 2011 and fall 2012 are being used to study the dynamics of a fjord adjacent to Jorge Montt, a rapidly (1 km/year) retreating glacier in the southern Patagonian Ice Fields.

Fig. 5

During summer, freshwater is carried from the glacier in a relatively thick (8–20m) surface layer with salinities of 5 or less, but active submarine melting/runoff is also observed at depth, identifiable as a number of horizontally coherent lateral intrusions extending through the deepest section of the channel, which lead to the overall cooling, freshening and oxygenation in the deep layer. During the winter, warmer waters occupy the deep basin while the surface layer is thinner and saltier, suggesting drastically reduced submarine melting and runoff. A shallow (<40 m) sill separating the 350-m fjord from the channel connecting the fjord to the Pacific ocean leads to input of warm, shallow water to the fjord, while also restricting the renewal of the deep water next to the terminus. Both data from the proglacial fjord and the channel connecting it to the open ocean suggest the seasonal-scale variability can be partially explained by warm water intrusions coming from the Gulf of Penas and moving along the Baker and Martinez channels towards the proglacial Montt fjord. Figure 5 shows the location of Jorge Montt Glacier, which is connected to the Gulf of Penas by Baker Channel. Cold water from rivers and glaciers leaves the fjord system through the surface, while warm oceanic water enters it at depth. Also, wind-driven synoptic variability at Golfo de Penas appears significantly correlated with ocean temperature variability near the head of the Baker-Martinez fjord system. This suggests a significant potential for ocean processes to modulate the influx of warm water and thus ice melting of the Patagonian Ice Fields tidewater glaciers.

Since September 2008, R+D Line 3 has maintained an array of sensors moored near Caleta Tortel , adjacent to the Baker River mouth in the Aysén Region. This array of instruments has yielded time series of temperature profiles, light-intensity profiles, and sea level. These sets of continuous measurements have allowed: (1) to outline the seasonal cycle in thermal structure and transparency of the water column near the Baker river mouth; (2) to assess inter-annual variability in the amplitude of seasonal fluctuations; and (3) to relate the transient and high-frequency fluctuations with changes in the regime of freshwater input (mainly through rainfall and river discharge). In October 2012, we enlarged our observational capability of the Baker channel area by deploying a network of conductivity, temperature and pressure sensors along ca. 100 km in the Baker fjord, spanning the two main channels Baker and Martinez. Continuous records of sub-surface conductivity/temperature and sea-level at 10 sites along the entire basin, i.e. from the Baker river estuary to the Gulf of Penas, are being produced since then, and will provide us with essential information to characterize the

scale and location of salinity gradients, as well as the periodicity and scale of their displacements along the ocean-river axis, and to assess the degree to which such structure might be shaped by fluctuations in river discharges. At the same time, having continuous records of water temperature along the fjord will allow us to expand the scope of what has been already learned over the past 5 years about seasonal and shorter-term variability of water-column temperature from 2 moorings deployed near the Baker river mouth.

Fig. 6

In February 2013, a first set of data was retrieved from sensors deployed along the Martinez channel . The figure above shows the results of a preliminary analysis of these data clearly showing temporal changes in the position of a conductivity front, occurring at synoptic scales but also showing an expected seasonal trend, and indicated that ocean intrusions as well as changes in river discharge might be modulating the position of this front (Fig. 6). Thus, variability in atmospheric forcing and remote sources of physical forcing must also be taken into account to understand these changes. As more information from this sensor network is retrieved, and a record of at least one year is available, efforts will focus on statistically modeling the way in which freshwater discharges and atmospheric forcing interact to determine the along-fjord position of the conductivity front. Validating such a model as the record lengthens will allow us to evaluate the impact that future changes in freshwater inputs (volume, periodicity) and wind patterns (intensity, timing) may have on the spatial structure of salinity gradients, on productivity patterns, and ultimately on the structure of pelagic and benthic communities along the fjord.

We continued with our monitoring program on the mesozooplankton community (including fish eggs and larvae) in Caleta Tortel, in order to determine the effect of freshwater discharges from the Baker River on the local ecosystem and species of commercial importance (R+D Line 3). Our work on the influence of freshwater discharges and tides on the abundance and distribution of larval Munida gregaria , a crustacean that is an important food item for demersal fishes in Patagonia, and barnacles in the Baker River estuary was presented at the “Coastal and Estuarine Research Federation Conference (CERF)”, Mar del Plata, Argentina, November 2012, and has now been accepted as a scientific publication in the journal Continental Shelf Research (Merhoff, Castro & Tapia, 2013). In this paper, time series of zooplankton samples and a suite of environmental measurements gathered in the estuarine area influenced by the Baker river were analyzed to characterize seasonal and diel patterns in the abundance of M. gregaria early life stages, which migrate into the Baker and other fjords in the region during their development. It has been shown that this marine species is an important item in the diet of many fish and mammal species in Patagonia, and therefore it is relevant to determine which sources of physical variability in this and other estuarine regions (e.g. freshwater discharges) may be modulating its population dynamics and, by extension, the abundance and distribution of its predators. Our results showed that the spatial structure and dynamics of the early life stages of M. gregaria in this region may respond to the combined forcing of seasonal changes in freshwater inputs, tidally-driven processes such as lateral transport of larvae and juveniles, and internal-wave mediated changes in local conditions. While late- stage larvae (zoea) were more abundant in late winter and spring months, which are characterized by low river outflow and higher primary production, juveniles occurred exclusively in summer, when river outflow is at its peak and primary production in the estuary is lowest. The consistent occurrence of juveniles during months with maximum river discharge and low in situ productivity raises the intriguing possibility that population dynamics of this deposit-feeding species might ultimately depend on terrestrial organic matter carried by the Baker river. Current research efforts are focused on documenting this trophic connection, and will contribute to assessing the eventual impact that modifications to the Baker and other river basins in the region (e.g. hydroelectric power projects) may have on M. gregaria and its predators.

Another very novel study on aspect determining the dynamics of vertical distribution of the largest planktonic organisms in Patagonian fjords is the identification of semidiurnal vertical migrations apparently as a dominant pattern of migration of organisms (euphausiids ) that represent major food sources for pelagic fishes. These types of migrations have not been determined in the fjords before and this was the result of an international collaboration with Dr. Valle-Levinson from the University of Florida in a study of sound scattering layer for a year period in the Reloncaví Fjord that combined analyses of backscatter from moored ADCP and the use of multinets for stratified plankton collections (Valle-Levinson et al. to be submitted to PIO; paper presented at EGU annual congress in April 2013 in Vienna, Austria). This collaboration will continue during 2013 and for May a joint research cruise that includes Dr. Valle-Levinson and Dr. Tetjana Ross (University of Dalhousie) and R+D

Line 3, will be conducted in the Puyuhuapi channel to assess the vertical physical microstructure of the water column and migration of zooplankton organisms utilizing microstructure profilers, in situ video cameras for plankton recording and multinets, an oceanographic multisensory/sampling setting for the first time in our country.

R+D Line 2 provides baseline fjord ecosystem information as input for current (aquaculture mainly) and projected (hydropower) economical development that is taking or will take place in the Chilean Patagonia. For example, information that has been directly transferred to the aquaculture industry includes: a) the implementation of carrying capacity models for salmon farming (MOM) in the Reloncaví and Aysén fjords, b) the continuous monitoring of harmful phytoplankton events in the Aysén region, and c) implementation of oceanographic information system for sustainable aquaculture in the area of Puyuhuapi and Jacaf Channel, that aims to provide online basic oceanographic information as requested by the new modifications of the aquaculture and fisheries new legislation. Important advances have been made in understanding the functioning and structure of microplankton communities in fjords and channels where the input of freshwater plays a significant role in modulating water column physical, chemical and biological characteristics (Daneri et al ., 2012, Biogeosciences Discuss. 9, 1–40). We reported earlier that dissolved organic matter (DOM) of terrestrial origin entering the fjords through point and diffuse freshwater sources, is probably the main source supporting secondary prokaryote activity in winter. In 2012, R+D Line 2 started to focus its research on how modifications in the interactions between DOM and micronutrients (Fe) may significantly affect the structure and function of the coastal ecosystem. The effect that the Fe-organic matter interaction has on phytoplankton assemblages in the Comau fjord is being addressed by this research line. We expect that the responses of the phytoplankton community to addition of various organic matter-Fe complexes will explain a significantly portion of the primary productivity and taxa dominance this fjord.

Objective 4: To evaluate the effects generated by natural changes and/or anthropogenic alterations on the ecosystem associated with demersal fisheries and benthic management areas

During the austral summer 2010, several warnings of salp outbreaks of the species Ihlea magalhanica were recorded, mainly by salmon farmers, in the Inner Sea of Chiloe. The sudden increase of massive gelatinous zooplankton outbreaks in several coastal areas around the world has become more frequent, especially during the last few decades. The impact of these gelatinous zooplankton outbreaks on tourism have also increased considerably and include the temporary closing of beaches. It seems that human alterations of major ecosystems, which in turn have caused jelly outbreaks, are behind planktonic ecosystem shifts. R+D Line 3 studied and reported on massive blooms of salps that have occurred in recent years in northern Patagonia (Giesecke et al ., submitted to MEPS; paper to be presented at “Fourth International Jellyfish Bloom Symposium” in Hiroshima, 2013). Blooms of gelatinous plankton organisms (mostly medusa, carnivores) for this are have been reported previously in the media but not for salps (filter feeders, mainly herbivores) which constitute a type of organism very different in terms of their role in the trophic web in Patagonian systems. Warnings of high densities of salps close to salmon farms occurred seven times in 2010, while adverse effects were only recorded on one occasion. High salp density inside fish cages hamper normal fish feeding on food pellets, as observed in the guts of dead salmon collected from cages.

Fish stock dynamics and productivity is dependent on the state and condition of the marine ecosystem. From the point of view of the biological productivity of demersal fish species, R+D Line 3 focused on the relationship between environmental change and recruitment of the Patagonian grenadier ( Macruronus magellanicus ). A shift in sea-surface temperature that occurred in 1999 at 40ºS to 43ºS coincided with a dramatic decline in the recruitment level. The relationship between recruitment change and sea-surface temperature trend was high and significant, with implications for fisheries management. The results were communicated to decision makers,

and a paper was submitted to the New Zealand Journal of Marine and Freshwater Research (Cubillos et al., “Relating recruitment shift of Patagonian grenadier Macruronus magellanicus Lönnberg to sea temperature changes off Southern Chile, submitted to NZJMFR). A second paper titled “Nursery systems for Western Patagonian ground fish stocks: large inner sea or narrow continental shelf?” (Niklitschek et al .) was recently submitted to ICES Journal of Marine Research. In this paper, otolith stable isotopes were used to evaluate the relative contribution of several Patagonian Inner Sea and continental shelf regions to recruitment in Patagonian grenadier. Studying the spring juvenile migration rate for Macruronus magellanicus , from austral to north-central Chile, we support the hypothesis that important nursery grounds of this species are located in the Northwest Patagonian Inner Sea (42º–44ºS) from which juveniles disperse offshore, and then along the Chilean continental shelf both northward and southward. These studies suggest that the West Wind Drift current system is the main driver for dispersion of juveniles of Patagonian grenadier over the continental shelf.

Research Line 3 has continued with the work of detecting needs of artisanal fishermen and the public sector, and transforms them into research proposal contributing to the productive diversification in the Aysén region. Results and activities developed during Year 5 led to the following diagnosis: In the Aysén Region, fisheries sustainability should be strongly linked to multispecies management and appropriate governance. In addition, sustainable fisheries can make a major contribution towards local development. However, the state of the principal fish stocks, concerns and management plans should aim to stock and ecosystem recovery and diversification policies. In this context, three research projects with public funding are directed to support multispecies/ecosystem management of fish species in the southern region, and an integrated research plan for the Aysén region has been proposed to the regional government in order to support fisheries sustainability based on a collaborative project with CIEP.

The knowledge gained during Year 5 can be summarized as follows: i) the inner seas (fjords and cannels) of southern Chile play an important role for the recruitment of southern hake and hoki, with two principal zones characterized by high abundance of eggs, larvae and recruits of these two species (and probably in other demersal/pelagic fish). In the Los Lagos region the main abundances are found at the Ancud Gulf - Reloncaví Fjord, while the Aysén Fjord and adjacent Moraleda Channel are the main focus of abundance in the Aysén region; ii) There is a strong trophic interaction between southern hake (predator) and hoki (prey) in the study area, meaning that the dynamics of the predator may be strongly linked to the dynamics of the prey; iii) different indicators used to define the status of the main demersal, pelagic and benthic fisheries in southern Chile, and in particular in the Aysén region, seem to indicate stock depletion. Consequently, the management of these fisheries should aim the development of recovery plans and the diversification of the productive matrix by either adding value to the products or directing fishing effort to other species with current/potential value. In this context, a proposal was presented to the Head of the Aysén Regional Government that, in addition to set the status of the main stocks, highlighted the gaps in basic biological knowledge that need to be fulfilled in the short- and medium-term in order to reach sustainability.

For benthic species, proposals included the monitoring systems in exploited populations, the development of stocks assessment models and re-population plans. For pelagic and demersal fisheries, proposals included the study of the reproductive biology of the species and the connections between inner and outer sea, to set reference points for management and the quantitative modeling of trophic interactions of target species (e.g, southern hake, hoki and austral sardine). In 2012 and the beginning of 2013 PhD student Susannah Buchan completed 3 oceanographic research campaigns of feeding patches within the Corcovado Gulf blue whale (Balaenoptera musculus ) feeding ground; and 4 cruises for the deployment and recovery of acoustic buoys (Marine Autonomous Recording Units) which monitor the passage of blue whales through the feeding ground. Susannah Buchan also submitted the first manuscript of her thesis to the Endangered Species Research Journal (the editorial decision is pending).

Objective 5: Cellular and molecular detection techniques for detecting harmful planktonic microorganisms that could affect aquaculture centers in Region XI

Research Line 4 has achieved important results in the areas of marine biosafety and applied marine microbiology, as follows: Molecular markers in water column for ISAV, Pisciricketsia salmonis and Caligus spp.: the molecular markers designed for their detection and quantification in samples from water column were tested in two field campaigns (January and September of 2012, sanitary effect of in situ washing of fouling from nets used in salmon farming). Results show the presence of these pathogens in the water column during austral summer in contrast to late winter when the molecular signals were not present. These results validate the use of this new methodology to survey the biosafety status of productive areas for aquaculture and at the same time, they could be offered as a service to the aquaculture sector. One new manuscript was published about ISAV (Krautz et al., 2012 in Gayana 76, 162–166. For Caligus rogercresseyi , the results of molecular analysis of specimens collected from infested farmed (Salmo salar ) and wildlife fishes ( Eleginops maclovinus ) showed genetic differences between them. The sequence alignment obtained from specimens collected from Salmo salar shows molecular variability in the 18S gene sequence associated with geographic productive areas used for salmon farming. When the sequences obtained were compared to those stored in GenBank, results show that in the last 10 years the population variability of Caligus rogercresseyi has increased by 0.8% in farmed fish of the species Salmo salar distributed between Los Lagos and Aysén regions. This variation means one nucleotide every two year (undergraduate thesis of Johanna Himelreichs, manuscript in preparation). Twenty-seven new sequences of this parasite were deposited in the GenBank database. This work is a contribution to understanding the molecular epidemiology of this parasite, and it was made possible by the alliance with Gladys Asencio from IMAR (Puerto Montt). During Year 5, R+D Line 4 achieved the molecular detection of Alexandrium catenella in water samples of the Puyuhuapi and Jacaf channels. Moreover, the samples were sequenced and the phylogenetic analysis of environmental samples (non cultivated) of A. catenella identified 23 different genotypes. Three predominant genotypes were established which were grouped in the North American clade Group I (NA / Group I) of the "tamarense complex". Twenty-nine sequences of this dinoflagellate were deposited in the GenBank database and five new genotypes were described for this microorganism (undergraduate thesis of Christian Muñoz, manuscript in preparation). Also within the marine biosafety research area, two new molecular techniques were standardized: i) to detect human mitochondrial DNA in water and sediment samples from a microcosm; this technique jointly with E. coli culture, can achieve the molecular source tracking of human fecal contamination in aquatic environment (undergraduate thesis of Enzo Duran). ii) The amplification of the metallothionein gene in samples of liver and gill tissue of Salmo salar and rainbow trout; this is the first step to accomplish a molecular technique to evaluate the induction of a protein called metallothionein which is induced in presence of heavy metal contamination of aquatic ecosystems (undergraduate thesis of Salvador Lagos). Seven new sequences of this gene were deposited in the GenBank database. Finally, in cyanobacteria reseach 22 new sequences were deposited in GenBank database. One of these corresponds to a Cyanobacteria of biotechnological importance ( Arthrospira platensis ). The presence of a diverse community of Cyanobacteria in the area of Tortel could also have an ecological rol as a part of carbon fluxes (manuscript in preparation).

Within the area of applied marine microbiology , R+D Line 4 has a collection of 129 strains of Thraustochytrids; 12 strains of them show a high capacity to produce docosahexaenoic acid (DHA, an omega-3 fatty acid) and carotenoids (1.1 to 23% and 4 to 18% of its dry weight, respectively). Additionally, all of these strains are also capable of producing eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA). This work has served as a baseline for a project VIU

FONDEF to develop the first step of a business plan and roadmap to use this knowledge in a business application (undergraduate thesis of Natalie Pino).

Finally, the discovery of bioluminescent bacteria in the coast of central-southern Chile has a promising use for developing a biosensor to detect marine toxins or pollutant substances in marine ecosystems. This information was published in the local press (Panorama UdeC), and in specialized aquaculture magazines (Mundo Acuicola).

Other overall synergic research activities include:

1) A new special issue of Progress in Oceanography on Patagonian fjords Guest editors of this special volume are J L Irirarte, S Pantoja and G Daneri. This special issue represents our second integrated scientific product, after the first one which was published in Continental Shelf Research in 2011. It will integrate studies of organisms of all size spectra (from bacteria to fishes, and whales) and several types of systems (from the headwaters of the forested watersheds downstream to the related pelagic and benthic coastal marine ecosystems). Emphasis is also set on how ocean chemistry and physical structures may affect the whole system in different ways and on different spatial/temporal scales. The impact of predators in the Patagonian Fjords (early stages of fishes and zooplankton functional groups) will also be addressed. In addition we will address relevant global problems pertaining oceanography and global change related to glacial melting, and change of the input of freshwater to the coastal ocean. Finally, we emphasize the breadth of scope (e.g. relating Chilean Fjords to fjords in general) since the Patagonian fjord and channel ecosystems are under similar anthropogenically driven pressures (e.g. increased fish farming and global climate change) as northern fjord areas.

2) Integrated oceanographic cruise, austral summer 2013 Between 25 February and 3 March 2013, we carried out an oceanographic cruise starting from Caleta Tortel and across the Martínez channel. Six stations were visited along a gradient of freshwater influence (see Fig. 7 for location of stations).

Fig. 7

The goals included 1) to determine the main sources of organic matter for the pelagic/benthic food web, and relevance of organic carbon from land; and 2) perform a carbon balance in a site with more freshwater influence and another site with more marine influence along the Martínez channel. In addition, 2 towed ADCP cross sections were performed. A total of 10 researchers, 7 technicians and 1 PhD student participated in this effort (R+D Lines 2, 3 and 4).

The scientific knowledge gained by the COPAS Center during Year 5 reported here (Apr 2012 to Mar 2013) was communicated in the form of 54 presentations at national and international congresses, and workshops of which 47 presentations involved results of our studies in Patagonia; 37 ISI publications with an average impact factor of ca. 3; 4 non-ISI publications; and 1 book chapters. Of the 37 total ISI publications, 10 were dedicated entirely to the Patagonian fjord region.

COPAS Sur-Austral activities in Patagonia and the state-of-the-art equipment have been very important in supporting other national colleagues and/or groups during Year 5 (Environmental Science Center EULA-Chile and Department of Civil Engineering, University of Concepción, and i ˜ mar Center, University of Los Lagos), and this support has encouraged multi- and interdisciplinary collaboration with national partners, also including student work. In the international arena during Year 5, COPAS Sur-Austral maintained interdisciplinary collaboration as well as educational initiatives with foreign partners around the world (reported in detailed in the Final Report of Phase I), and new collaborations were started (e.g., Dr. Tony Pitcher of Fisheries Centre, University of British Columbia Canada; Dr. Rosemary Hurst of National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research; Dr. Duncan Purdie of National Oceanography Centre Southampton). Moreover, a new joint oceanographic cruise on board the research vessel Mirai is being planned with the Japan Agency for Marine- Earth Science and Technology JAMSTEC, and a second joint cruise with colleagues from the Alfred Wegener Institute in Bremerhaven has been proposed for the use of the German icebreaker Polarstern. Important alliances with national and international public and private institutions have also been maintained (e.g., IFOP, SHOA, Regional Government of the Aysén Region, Municipality of Tortel, Los Fiordos S.A., MainStream Aquaculture, Waters of Patagonia Crevasse, INTESAL).

EDUCATION, OUTREACH, DISSEMINATION AND KNOWLEDGE TRANSFER : Objective 6: To train human resources of excellence in applied areas of oceanography and strengthen their connection with public and private sectors through a program of technological transfer, training, and outreach.

Education at the University level: The Center’s educational strategy is to emphasize university-based graduate and undergraduate education. COPAS has an active participation in the strengthening of the Universidad de Concepción (UDEC) undergraduate education in Marine Biology and Engineering in Marine Biotecnology and Aquaculture, and graduate education in Oceanography. Also, the Center trains technical personnel, who are a key component of field and laboratory activities.

During the reported period, the Center has hosted 28 undergraduate and 11 graduate students who have obtained their degree. There are currently 22 graduate students who defended their thesis project (qualifying exam), and are working on their theses within the Center’s scientific objectives. Currently, the thesis work of 4 PhD and 3 MSc students focuses directly on the southern region of Chile . The COPAS Sur-Austral program provides the students with the exciting opportunity of working in remote areas such as the Chilean fjords.

During Year 5, 7 postdoctoral fellows engaged in COPAS research themes; 5 of them were (or still are) directly associated to the COPAS Sur-Austral program. Extramural funding (e.g., FONDECYT, FNDR, INTESAL) has been important for including postdocs into the scientific activities of the Center.

COPAS Sur-Austral researchers are strongly involved in teaching regular undergraduate and graduate core courses . The Graduate Program in Oceanography at UDEC offers four fundamental courses in physical, biological, chemical, and geological oceanography, respectively, during the second and third quarters. COPAS Sur-Austral researchers teach three of the four fundamental graduate courses (Physical Oceanography, W. Schneider; Chemical Oceanography, S. Pantoja; and Geological Oceanography, C. Lange). In addition, L. Castro is director of the M.Sc. in Fisheries Program at UDEC.

COPAS Sur-Austral has continued to be actively involved in the organization of the yearly Austral Summer Institutes (ASI; http://www.udec.cl/oceanoudec/oceanografia ), an initiative headed by S. Pantoja who holds an UNESCO IOC Chair in Oceanography. ASI XIII, held during December 2012 and January 2013, was devoted to understanding physical, chemical and biological processes in the marine environment. Fourteen lecturers (from Argentina, Chile, France, UK and USA) and 98 students from various Latin-American countries, Canada and France attended this activity.

Education at the school level: One of the emphases of the COPAS Sur-Austral Outreach Program is put on the educational community through experimental work with students, educational improvement of classroom teachers in the area of marine sciences, and on formulating a curriculum based on ocean literacy.

During Year 5 we continued strengthening the activities previously established with the school community of Coyhaique, Puerto Aysén and Caleta Tortel, that is, a water monitoring program of freshwater and estuarine systems and an integrated inquiry-based study of the carbon cycle in fjords and coastal environments. Several regional governmental representatives supported our commitment to improve learning strategies among middle- and high school institutions in the aforementioned localities of Patagonia. These were the EXPLORA-CONICYT Aysén program, the Ministry of the Environment, the National Forest Corporation (CONAF) and the Ministry of Education. Other key institutions supporting our efforts were CIEP and the Municipality of Tortel. We were able to accomplish the first long-term goal of the D+D program, that is, the establishment of a network of regional institutions and educational programs to promote ocean literacy and improve scientific learning among the students and teachers of the Aysén region.

The second strategic goal of the D+D program was to end Year 5 with a Plan for the creation of a Fjord Education Center in Patagonia. Thanks to the excellent relationship with the Municipality of Tortel due to the permanent and successful work with teachers and students of Tortel only school, Luis Bravo Bravo, the Mayor of Tortel approved the establishment of this Center in municipal coastal land. A pre-project was developed including an innovative design produced in conjunction with the architect of the Municipality. A proposal was presented to the regional government to apply for funding a section of the Center as a cultural space for community activities. The funds were approved and during 2013 the project will be carried out.

The COPAS Sur-Austral Outreach and capacity building initiatives were presented at the US-National Marine Education Association (NMEA). During the year 2012 the Outreach coordinator headed the International Pacific Marine Educators Network (IPMEN) organizing committee for their IV International Meeting celebrated in the city of Santiago and in Patagonia. Delegates from Japan, Australia, Fiji Islands, Hawaii, California, Puerto Rico and Perú gathered under the theme “One big ocean, many dreams”. A Forum on Marine Education co-sponsored by the Foreign Affairs Ministry with participation of the Communication director of the Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute (MBARI), the President of College of Exploration, a deputy officer of the Fijian Ministry of

Education, and a National Science Award scientist was the first activity within the IPMEN Meeting. An international workshop on ocean literacy followed, and was attended by middle- and high school science teachers of Santiago. Two days later the international delegates flew to Coyhaique in Patagonia where they exchanged information and knowledge with researchers from the Center for Research in Ecosystems of Patagonia (CIEP). The Executive Director of CIEP and Principal Investigator of R+D Line 2, Dr. Giovanni Daneri, welcomed the delegation and 3 talks were given: “Aquaculture in the Patagonian Fjords: current oceanographic research efforts relevant to the sustainable development of the Chilean Salmon Industry”; “Conservation and biodiversity of the Baker Channel and Didymo in the Aysén Region”; and Artisanal fisheries in the fjords”. . Finally, the delegates traveled to Caleta Tortel where educational activities were held with the local students and teachers. Water kits and other marine education material were donated by the delegates from Hawaii and Puerto Rico to the Major of Tortel.

Currently 2 manuscripts are being prepared to submit to the Journal of Marine Education and Innovation and to a non-formal Education journal.

Transfer of Knowledge: During Year 5, several workshops were organized by the COPAS Sur-Austral program with the goals of sharing the most recent scientific developments with private businesses, guilds, and the public sector. Ten of our investigators have participated in 18 scientific and technical committees both at national (10) and regional level (8). Design of methodological approaches, strategies and action plans to assess vulnerability of fisheries and aquaculture to climate change was developed and transferred to national authorities: Undersecretariat for Fisheries and Aquaculture and Ministry of Environment which have funded 2 projects during the year. Five regional workshops related to climate change were held during Year 5 with a total participation 69 people. Other workshops were: “Analysis of Fisheries from the Aysén region” with the participation of Regional Government representatives, Regional Office for Planning and Development, Head of the regional Office of Undersecretary of Fisheries, Head of the Regional office of the Chilean National Service, and investigators of the Patagonian Ecosystem research Centre (CIEP); and “Proposal of amendments to the Project of Fishing and Aquaculture Law” held at the Vicerectoría de Investigación y Desarrollo, Universidad de Concepción, Edificio Empreudec, in June 2012.

Regarding small pelagic fisheries, in October 2012, a symposium entitled “Discovering the austral pilchard: genetic, ecological, biological and fisheries aspects” was held in Punta Arenas. The importance resides in the fact that the austral pilchard population biomass shows a decline from 2008 to 2011, and this could be due to both fishery and lower levels of Chlorophyll-a biomass effects.

We have continued the development of operating models to audit performance in fisheries assessment models to improve reliability in decision making structural management measures for the fisheries sector (e.g. operating strategies and annual catch quotas). In this sense, during Year 5 we have participated in 3 scientific committees (austral pilchard, Patagonian grenadier and Patagonian toothfish) providing advice to the Undersecretariat for Fisheries and Aquaculture (UFA) on resource status and stock assessments.

Relevant results from the COPAS Sur-Austral program have been directly transferred to the aquaculture industry. Among these are: a) Final report FIC-R project Nº 30109334: “Comparison of health effects and environmental cleanup strategies used in the salmon nets in the Aysén region”, report presented in January 2013 to Regional Government of Aysén; b) Seasonality of harmful phytoplankton in region XI (“Annual analysis of the harmful phytoplankton seasonality in XI region (2011-2012)”, report presented in March 2013 to Technological Institute of the Salmon Industry (INTESAL); c) Website that displays data obtained on line from oceanographic sampling stations (www.ciep.cl/sio) located in the area of Puyuhuapi Fjord and Jacaff Channel.

This information is related to the execution of project: “Oceanographic information system for sustainable aquaculture Aysén region”, funded by INNOVA-CORFO between October 2011 and Jun 2013.

Dissemination to non-academics:

Routine publications in university and local/national newspapers bring news about the COPAS Sur-Austral program and their members to the general public. During Year 5, information about our activities was published 8 times in local newspapers, 5 times in national newspapers, 17 times in the University of Concepción Panorama, and 58 times on the Internet. COPAS Sur-Austral has also participated in 5 radio and 4 TV broadcasts. All information can be found at the COPAS Sur-Austral web site under PRENSA and DESCARGAS.

APPLICATION OF THE RESEARCH RESULTS: Objective 7: To develop products/technological services for the public and private sectors based on scientific research aimed at increasing efficiency and competitiveness.

Three oceanographic platforms (Puyuhuapi, Jacaf and Cochamó) were enhanced (Buoy Puyuhuapi) or installed (ROP Cochamó and a set of oceanographic sensors in Puyuhuapi Fjord and Jacaf Channel) in Year 5. The real- time transmission and online publication system for the data is in full development and it is expected that in Year 6 we will have an integration of data feeds into a online data display system.

The level of oxygen and temperature from station HOBO U-30 in Bahía Anita (South Puyuhuapi channel) has been used by a local company in the feeding management of salmons. Hydrographic results of the campaigns carried out along the Puyuhuapi and Jacaf channel was printed in a poster and was distributed to all aquaculture farming and general public in Aysén region. Forecasts for tidal tables are in our website and we have known that at least one salmon farming company (Los Fiordos) has used the tidal table of Magdalena Island to plan the arrival of juveniles to the farm.

Sea-level forecasts (i.e. tide tables) from the Tortel continuous oceanographic measurements from moorings are being used by the local community to aid in planning of domestic and productive activities, as well as by local and foreign entrepreneurs, and scientists who navigate the waters between Caleta Tortel and the Montt Glacier, near the Pascua river mouth.

The prototype version of the oceanographic device for benthic boundary layer (BBL) water sampling was built and is ready to demonstrate its performance to the private and public sectors.

In the process of building a catalog we selected seven austral fjords from which we have compiled and analyzed a range of information for each of them: drainage area, the hypsometric distribution, slopes, land use, freshwater flow inputs and volumetric calculations. The first edition is expected to be finished in 2013.

An illustrated catalog of the Chilean decapods from Magellanic zoogeographical Province Chiloé – Cabo de Hornos has been developed: selection of species pictures and its morphologic characteristics. The catalog is directed to students, academics and professionals of the public and private sectors.

A first document with the knowledge on harmful algal blooms and the possible factors that trigger them was delivered to regional salmon industry during Year 5. In this study participated researchers from CIEP, INTESAL and Copas Sur-Austral.

During Year 5 we began the development of a fuzzy logic model to estimate environmental carrying capacity associated with salmon farming. During the Year 6 we will build the model and its validation with real data and we will apply for a prototype Registration Intellectual Property Unit (IPU-UDEC). The final objective is to try salmon industry data from production cycles using 2 production cycles.

PERFORMANCE INDICATORS OF THE PERIOD REPORTED

REPORTED PERIOD BASE April 2012 to March DEVELOPMENT LINE (*) 2013 INDICATORS AREAS Per Accumulative year Basal Other Financing Sources Funds(+) GENERAL Number of Principal Investigators -- 9

Female Gender (%) of Principal Investigators -- 11%

Number of other Investigators -- 9

Female Gender (%) of other Investigators -- 11%

SCIENTIFIC Number of ISI publications 30 37 EXCELLENCE Number of non ISI publications 7 4

Number of citations in ISI Journals 115 36 (a) Percentage of publications Co-authored with national/international 50 76% researchers from other institutions Percentage of publications Co-authored with researchers of the Center 20 46%

Average number of citations per article 4 1 (a)

Number of international exchange networks 10 12

Number of national presentations/conferences -- 37

Number of international presentations/conferences -- 17

TECHNOLOGICAL Number of patent applications 1 0 TRANSFER AND LINKAGE WITH --- 0 OTHER SECTORS Number of patent application´s granted OF CHILEAN Number of licenses and/or Technology Transfer Agreements applied --- 0 ECONOMY AND and/or granted SOCIETY Number of spin-offs companies rising from the Center --- 0 Number of pre & postgraduate students and postdoctorates inserted in the 1 1 Industrial sector Number of pre & postgraduate students and postdoctorates inserted in --- 3 other Centers, academic or non-academic, private & public institutions Number of participations in instances of public policy definition (consulting 4 18 councils, advisory committees). Number of participations in other relevant institutions --- 4

Number of relevant actions that have a social effect --- 6 Amount and % of the Center´s income from private sector companies (in 0 0 cash and in kind contributions can be considered). Amount and % of the Center´s income from other non-government 32% 16% (b) sources (in cash and in kind contributions can be considered).

TRAINING OF Number of Master students 6 18 HUMAN RESOURCES Number of completed master theses 2 5

Number of Ph.D. students 16 15

Number of completed Ph.D. theses 4 6

Number of posdocs working in the Center 3 7

Number of undergraduate students 18 28

Number of completed undergraduate theses 18 28 Number of stays/visits from students or researchers from other Centers or 27 20 projects (national and international) Number of stays/visits to other institutions by students or researchers of --- 2 the Center Percentage of theses co-tutored with researchers of the Center --- 11%

INTERNATIONAL Number of conjoint projects developed --- 3 NETWORKS Number of international agreements of exchange with foreign institutions --- 7 (c) Percentage of ISI publications co-authored with international researchers --- 51% (from other institutions). Percentage of theses co-tutored with international researchers from other --- 0 institutions. SUPPORT TO % of equipment available to researchers who are not part of the Center. 5 10% OTHER RESEARCH Percentage of theses co-tutored with researchers from other research 3% 8% GROUPS groups Percentage of publications co-authored with researchers from other 20% 76% research groups Others: Number of R&D Projects directed by other Research Group with --- 4 participation of researchers of the Center OUTREACH Number of outreach and/or extension activities. 30 34 ACTIVITIES Total number of people attending to outreach and/or extension activities. 300 3600

Number of times the project appears in mass media. --- 88 Number of documents, reports, proceedings resulting from 25 15 outreach/extramural events or activities. Number of conjoint projects developed for the purpose of executing --- 4 outreach activities* Others:

Number of associated institutions sponsors of outreach activities 3 6

Number of regions involved in outreach activities 3 2 Number of water bodies being monitored by the center for outreach 8 48 activities

* Base line is the average indicator from the last 3 years before the application (presented in the Application Form). + Including resources from the Basal Financing Program and resources from other

significant and stable public sources, such as: FONDAP, Institutes and Groups of the Millennium Scientific Initiative (ICM) and Regional Center Associations in Science and Technology, Team Research Projects in Science and Technology.

COMMENTS ON THE INDICATORS

(a) The number of citations in ISI Journals and the average number of citations per article is low because 2012 and 2013 publications are too recent to record citations. (b) The percentage refers to international funds and is calculated with respect to the total of new projects acquired during 2012. (c) International agreements of exchange with foreign institutions: MARUM CENTER, OSU (USA), JAMSTEC (Japan), IRTA (Spain), BJERNES CENTER (Norway), SACC Consortium (Argentina) and Banyuls sur mer (France)