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The document describes a specific oceanographic mechanism on the Patagonian shelf where deep ocean currents force nutrient-rich cold water to the surface. This process, unlike wind-driven upwelling, remains active year-round, sustaining a vast food chain including phytoplankton, hake, and squid, and contributing to the ocean's role as a carbon sink. The influence of this system extends northward, fertilizing waters as far as Brazil.

The #SeAdapta project investigates the adaptive capacity of small-scale fisheries in Latin America, specifically focusing on Yellow Clam, Spiny Lobster, and Sea Cucumber. In Uruguay, the project emphasizes the value of combining conventional science with local ecological knowledge. In Argentina, research on yellow and wedge clams shows that shell properties and population abundance are negatively impacted by El Niño and low-salinity waters. In the Galapagos Islands, the project found that while the seafood system is vulnerable to global shocks like COVID-19, small-scale fisheries are critical for food security, leading to recommendations for systemic transformation through local consumption, entrepreneurial support, technology against illegal fishing, and circular economy practices.