SPAT SETTLEMENT AND GROWTH ON A LONG-LINE CULTURE SYSTEM OF THE MUSSEL, MYTILUS GALLOPROVINCIALIS, IN THE SOUTHERN BLACK SEA
S. Karayücel, M. Erdem, O. Uyan, S.
Saygun, I. Karayücel-2002
The
Israeli Journal of Aquaculture - Bamidgeh 54(4): 163-172
Abstract:
Spat settlement and growth at the depths of 3 and 7 m in a
long-line mussel system in the southern Black Sea were determined in two
seasons. The first spat collectors were hung in July 1997, the second in
January 1998. Temperature, salinity, seston, particulate organic matter and
chlorophyll-a were measured monthly. Depth had no significant effect on any
of these parameters (p>0.05). There was a significant positive
correlation between particulate organic matter and chlorophyll-a (p<0.05)
at both depths. On the first collectors, most of the spat settled from
October to January and on the second most settled in April-May 1998. The
mean shell length, height, width and weight of the mussels from the first
collectors were 32.11±0.68, 18.32, 11.76±0.35 mm and 3.40±0.22 g,
respectively. Spat collectors were most efficient in February and March when
heavy spat settlement occurred and predation and fouling were minimal.
Growth performance of seeds was high due to the favorable environment.
Recommendations for spat collection and cultivation are given.
(Faculty of Fisheries, University of Ondokuz Mayis, 57000 Sinop,
Turkey)