Spat settlement and growth on a long-line culture system of the mussel, Mytilus galloprovincialis, in the Southern Black Sea

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 shelf length, height, width and weight of the mussels from the first collectors were 32.11&PLUSMN;0.68, 18.32, 11.76&PLUSMN;0.35 mm and 3.40&PLUSMN;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.