Effect of mesh coverings on retention and growth of blacklip pearl oyster (Pinctada margaritifera) spat during early nursery culture

A C Beer; Paul C Southgate

doi:10.1051/alr:2008056

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Effect of mesh coverings on retention and growth of blacklip pearl oyster (Pinctada margaritifera) spat during early nursery culture

Journal article

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Effect of mesh coverings on retention and growth of blacklip pearl oyster (Pinctada margaritifera) spat during early nursery culture

A C Beer and Paul C Southgate

Aquatic Living Resources, Vol.21(4), pp.441-445

2008

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1051/alr:2008056

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Abstract

pearl oyster

spat collection

growth

survival

nursery culture

pinctada margaritifera

Hatchery produced pearl oyster spat are generally transferred to the ocean on spat collectors which may, or may not, be covered with fine mesh to prevent spat loss. This study examined the effectiveness of mesh bag covers on culture units for spat of the blacklip pearl oyster, Pinctada margaritifera. It assessed spat retention and growth in culture units without mesh bags (REMOVE) and in those where mesh bags were replaced weekly (REPLACE), washed weekly (WASH) or left unwashed (NO WASH) for the duration of the six-week experiment. Culture units in the REPLACE treatment had the greatest number of spat at the end of the experiment and 41% more spat than in the REMOVE treatment. Grading of the spat from each treatment at the end of the experiment showed that the REPLACE treatment had the highest number of spat in large and medium size classes with mean (± SE) dorso-ventral height of 23.9±0.5 mm and 17.4±0.5 mm, respectively. Mean wet weight of the mesh bags at the end of the experiment differed between treatments with bags from the WASH and NO WASH treatments having significantly greater mean wet weights than those from the REPLACE treatment. The results show that the presence of a mesh bag around spat culture units may improve retention of spat by between 18-41%. However, protective mesh bags may foul quickly and, to maximise retention and spat growth, weekly replacement of mesh bags should be undertaken. © 2008 EDP Sciences IFREMER IRD.

Details

Title: Effect of mesh coverings on retention and growth of blacklip pearl oyster (Pinctada margaritifera) spat during early nursery culture
Authors: A C Beer (Author) - James Cook University
Paul C Southgate (Author) - James Cook University
Publication details: Aquatic Living Resources, Vol.21(4), pp.441-445
Publisher: E D P Sciences
Date published: 2008
DOI: 10.1051/alr:2008056
ISSN: 0990-7440
Organisation Unit: School of Science and Engineering - Legacy; Australian Centre for Pacific Islands Research; University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland; School of Science, Technology and Engineering
Language: English
Record Identifier: 99449956702621
Output Type: Journal article

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