Aquaculture is on the most dynamic food production systems in the world, with a fast expansion, especially in developing countries.  Among this sector, the Chilean mussel industry has experienced a substantial increase, turning Chile into one of the leading producers and global exporters of mussels.  Among the different links in the mussel production chain, the natural seed collection conducted by artisanal fishers of southern Chile has been a fundamental pillar for the development of the industry.  Often, this sub-sector  has been thought of as a  homogeneous group