Chilean network of marine stations: from the tropic to the subantarctic

Chile hosts a network of marine stations and campuses spanning 4,000km of latitudinal gradient, from the Capricorn tropic to Cape Horn, and encompassing diverse biogeographic provinces, oceanic processes and uses of marine resources. Beyond the diversity of research lines, more or less specialised in each station, and the diversity of installed capacities (from small field-support facility to full campus), the network aims at offering access to this diversity of marine coastal ecosystems with also a diversity of human impacts (e.g. small scale artisan fisheries, marine protected areas, aquaculture centers, urban or industrial settlements, or the nearly absence of humans in Patagonia). We ambition to build on initiatives such as JAMBIO and EMBRC, yet without dedicated funding, to creatively develop accessible services and promote synergies in marine sciences, including research and training. This presentation will highlight some of the dreams and challenges of networking Chilean marine stations, with focus on harmonizing long term coastal observations, students and researchers access, and on pushing forward technical expertise (e.g. scientific diving, environmental assessment, experimental research) as a way of promoting national standards in service provision to the scientific community and the society. Last but not least, the role of these marine stations in environmental education has become central to their permanent activities. An example of a successful program, Chile es Mar, will be briefly presented.