Effect of immersion time of cultch on spatfall of the scallop Argopecten purpuratus (Lamarck 1819) in the Marine Reserve at La Riconada, Antofagasta, Chile

A pilot program to evaluate the feasibility of collecting juvenile (seed) scallops using Japanese technology was carried out from October 2001 to April 2002 in the Marine Reserve at La Rinconada, Antofagasta, Chile. The continuous presence of larvae in waters in the reserve allowed for collection of 400–15,340 spat per collector and showed the high reproductive capability of local scallops and the relationship between numbers of larvae in the water and amount of spatfall. Highest rates of settlement were proportional to high numbers of umbone larvae in the water at >5000 larvae m⁻³ when collectors were first immersed. Absence of a relationship between larval numbers and postlarval settlement with trophic factors such as chlorophyll and particulate organic matter in the water suggests that productivity was not limited by these factors. Harvest of spat from collectors immersed for four and five months had recovery efficiencies of 5.5% and 59.4% compared with settlement in collectors after immersion for one month. Cohort analyses of recovered spat suggested that settlement occurred over the lengthy immersion period and was due to the continuous presence of larvae in the water. The loss of a high percentage of spat over the 4–5 immersion period compared with settlement in the first month can be attributed to intraspecific competition of spat density and growth as well as clogging of the collectors by sediment and marine fouling that impeded a flow of water through the nets.     

Effects of culture density and bottom area on growth and survival of the cuttlefish <Emphasis Type="Italic">Sepia</Emphasis><Emphasis Type="Italic">officinalis</Emphasis> (Linnaeus, 1758)

The effects of culture density and bottom areas on cuttlefish (Sepia officinalis) culture were studied. Cuttle fish were cultured under three experimental combinations of culture density and bottom area: (1) high density and small bottom surface area; (2) low density and large bottom area; (3) high density and large bottom area. Each experimental protocol was repeated in triplicate. Average weights at the end of the experiment were of 65.8 ± 5.8, 87.1 ± 5.6 and 78.7 ± 5.9 g for cuttlefish cultured under the conditions of protocol 1, 2, and 3, respectively; these differences were significant between each of the three groups. Total biomass increased faster (up to 7.5 kg per tank) under the high density/large bottom area conditions (protocol 3) due to the larger number of animals and low mortality in those tanks. Growth rates (%bw day⁻¹) were different between protocols, with growth rates of 2.1 ± 0.1, 3.0 ± 0.2, and 2.5 ± 0.1%bw day⁻¹ obtained for cuttlefish cultured according to protocol 1, 2, or 3, respectively. Average feeding rates were similar for the three groups—10.7 ± 0.8, 9.7 ± 2.0, and 9.6 ± 1.1%bw day⁻¹ for cuttlefish cultured according to protocols 1, 2, and 3, respectively, while food conversions (%) were different—21.5 ± 3.2, 32.4 ± 2.5, and 27.0 ± 1.1%bw day⁻¹, respectively. Total mortality was high in the high density/small bottom area tanks, 30%, while it was very low for the groups cultured under conditions of low and high density/large bottom area, 4%. Based on these results, we conclude that culture conditions that provide large bottom areas also provide good survival conditions and promote growth in comparison those with small bottom areas, even under conditions of lower culture densities.     

Influence of season, initial size, depth, gear type and stocking density on the growth rates and recovery of sea scallop, Placopecten magellancius, on a farm-based nursery

Hatchery-reared sea scallop (Placopecten magellanicus) spat weremonitored for growth and recovery in three experiments to determine themost suitable system for nursery culture. In Experiment I, four size classesof nursery-sized spat held at two depths from October to July exhibiteddeclining growth rates over the winter period and increased growth ratesin the spring. Overall, season, depth and initial size had a significantinfluence on the absolute and specific growth rates of scallops. Recovery,defined as number of scallops remaining after mortality and loss of spatthrough gear mesh, was influenced by season and initial size, but notdepth. Scallops in the 3.0 mm⁺ size class had higher growth rates andrecovery than those in the 1.4–1.6 mm, 1.7–1.9 mm and 2.0–2.9 mm sizeclasses. In Experiment II, two gear types containing similar size spat werecompared. Growth rates were significantly higher in 3.0 mm pearl nets thanin 3.0 mm collector bags, although recovery was similar between the twoequipment types. Experiment III, two stocking densities of nursery-sizedspat were compared in collector bags. Neither growth rate nor recoverywere significantly different for the two densities (2600 and 5200spat/collector bag) tested. Overall, these studies indicated that importantparameters for optimizing the growth and recovery of scallops in a farm-based nursery system include season, initial spat size, deployment depthand gear type.     

The effect of seawater flow and temperature on metamorphosis and postlarval development in great scallop

Variations in growth and survival of hatchery-reared post-metamorphicjuveniles of great scallop Pecten maximus prompted anexamination of settlement and postlarval development. The effects ofseawater flow and temperature on great scallop metamorphosis andpostlarvae were studied over a 4–5 week period. In allexperiments, and regardless of environmental conditions, great scallopmetamorphosed after a 2–3 week period with values of 35 to70%. Subsequently, spat numbers increased slightly. Spatmortality generally occurred from the third week onward and reachedlevels as high as 30% by the fifth week under standardconditions. At 20 °C, however, 60% mortality levels wererecorded. Differences in spat growth rate, ranging from 37 to 45 mday^–1, were noticed at different seawater flow ratesbut no clear tendency could be discerned. Temperature affected spatgrowth with an increase in size from 24 m day^–1 at15 °C to 35 m day^–1 at 18 °C. Conversely,growth was suppressed at 20 °C (14 m day^–1).For optimal metamorphosis and postlarval development in great scallop, aseawater flow of 4.3 L h^–1 per sieve and a temperatureof 15 °C are recommended.     

Post-transport recovery of cultured scallop (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Pecten maximus</Emphasis>) spat,juveniles and adults

High mortality associated with transport operations in scallop culture has been a major problem faced by European farmers. Simulated transport with Pecten maximus L. spat <2 mm, spat 15–30 mm, juveniles 30–50 mm and adults >100 mm were carried out in Spain, Ireland and Norway. Different time and temperature combinations were studied in order to maximise post-transport survival and establish best practices. Out-of-water transport could result in 100% survival if conditions were right, but the response to emersion stress depended on size, season and location. Post-transport recovery decreased with emersion time and was strongly influenced by temperature. Air exposure was tolerated for a longer time by adult scallops than spat and juveniles, but the results differed among trials in the different countries. The maximum emersion time that gave post-transport survival ≥80% was 12 h for the smallest spat, 18 h for larger spat and 24 h for juvenile and adult scallops. Adults were less affected by transport temperatures that deviated from ambient seawater temperature than spat and juveniles. In general post-transport recovery was high when sea temperature was <10°C, but during warm-water seasons special care should be taken to avoid stressful and lethal transport conditions. A transport temperature <12°C was recommended, though not more than 10°C below ambient culture temperature. A maximum transport time of 9 h was suggested for spat and juveniles to attain post-transport survival close to 100%, but 12–24 h was feasible during the cold-water season or at favourable transport temperatures.     

Effect of water velocity on growth and retention of cultured Greenshell™ mussel spat, <Emphasis Type="Italic">Perna canaliculus</Emphasis> (Gmelin, 1791)

The Greenshell^TM mussel, Perna canaliculus, is a commercially important species forming New Zealand’s largest aquaculture export product. Losses of P. canaliculus spat from culture ropes between larval settlement and the time mussels reach initial reseeding size (c. 10 mm) are common. To test whether water velocity affects growth and retention of post-settlement P. canaliculus spat, and whether there is a threshold effect of increasing velocities on spat migration, a laboratory-based experiment was conducted. Spat were grown for 8 weeks in experimental tanks on culture ropes at four velocities typical of velocities within mussel farms (40, 10, 4, and 1 cm s⁻¹). Spat migration was observed at all the velocities tested, but the number of spat migrating decreased as water velocity increased. Spat retention was highest at the 40 cm s⁻¹ velocity. Mean spat size increased significantly with increasing water velocity. At the highest velocity tested (40 cm s⁻¹), migration increased as the spat grew suggesting that migration was density-driven. The results of this experiment indicate the potential for mussel farmers to reduce seeded spat loss and to increase the growth rate of spat by modification of the water flow within their farms, or placement of seeded ropes in locations of certain existing water velocities, and indicate that velocities in the range 15–40 cm s⁻¹ promote higher spat growth and spat retention for P. canaliculus.     

Reproductive cycle,collection and early growth of Aulacomya ater,Molina 1782 (Bivalvia: Mytilidae) in northern Chile

We evaluated the reproductive cycle of Aulacomya ater at Caleta Punta Arenas (Antofagasta, Chile), finding two important spawning periods (August–September and October–November) associated with declining water temperatures. Mytilid collectors were installed at Caleta Punta Arenas and Caleta Errázuriz (250 km further south) in November and then extracted in consecutive time periods. The results showed settlements of A. ater along with Choromytilus chorus (Molina) and Semimytilus algosus (Gould). An analysis of the spat size structure from each period revealed different micro‐cohorts for each species; the micro‐cohorts of C. chorus were predominant. Daily growth rates were estimated using the average sizes of the micro‐cohorts on two consecutive dates. Although the daily growth rates did not vary significantly between sites for a given species, these rates were lowest for A. ater and highest for S. algosus. The abundance and greater growth of C. chorus caused interspecific competition with A. ater that was detrimental to the survival of the latter. We hypothesize the existence of a metapopulation of A. ater in northern Chile that would explain the settlement of four micro‐cohorts on collectors after 28 days at Caleta Punta Arenas, and the settlement recorded after 80 days at Caleta Errázuriz.     

Mortality of scallop spat in cultivation, infested with tube dwellingbristle worms, Polydora sp.

Between 1995 and 1997, a traditional Norwegian oyster poll with an attachednursery was used for the production of scallop (Pecten maximus) spat.During summer 1997, four batches of 2 mm scallop spat were placed in thenursery. In June, hydroids (Obelia) caused problems with fouling andaccumulation of sediment in the nursery. Thereafter, the scallop spat wereheavily infested with tube dwelling polychaets (Polydora sp.). Thepolychaets were both introduced with poll water and reproduced inside thenursery. Infested spat suffered high mortalities. Although the spat could have been affected by the hydroids, as well as shortage of food, Polydorainfestations were considered the main cause of the mortalities. Dead andinfested spat were continuously sorted out and discarded, but the infestationproblems persisted. As a result, the scallop spat did not represent anycommercial value for the company, and in September, the nursery wasemptied. In total, approximately one million spat – representing onethird of Norway's intensive scallop spat production in 1997, was lost.     

Tench (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Tinca tinca</Emphasis> L.) larvae rearing under controlled conditions: density and basic supply of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Artemia</Emphasis> nauplii as the sole food

After artificial reproduction of tench, larvae must be maintained indoors, and studies on rearing conditions are needed, focussing on the reduction of labour and costs. Three experiments on larvae (5th day post-hatch) were conducted for 25 days using Artemia nauplii as the sole food in order to determine basic feeding and density conditions during the first rearing period. Tench were maintained in 25 l fibreglass tanks, supplied with an artesian water flow throughout of 0.2 l min⁻¹. Water temperature was 22.5 ± 1°C, and the photoperiod was natural. Larvae fed on a restricted amount of nauplii reached high survival rates, even with the minimum of 50 nauplii larva⁻¹ day⁻¹. This amount of food may be sufficient at least for the first 25 days of exogenous feeding if fast growth is not the priority, and high densities can be maintained with good survival rates (over 90% up to 160 larvae l⁻¹ and 77% with 320 larvae l⁻¹). When food was supplied in excess once a day, high survival rates were achieved (91–97%), without differences among the densities tested. Animals at a density of 100 l⁻¹ reached the highest length (15.57 mm) and individual weight (46.8 mg). This growth is greater than those reported in studies feeding several times a day. It could be deduced that, while live food remains available for tench, it is not necessary to feed so frequently. Considering the relationship among the initial number of animals, final survival and growth and ration supplied, the new data reported here are useful to establish suitable stocking densities under both culture and experimental conditions.     

Evaluation of three phytoplankton species as food for the pearl oyster <Emphasis Type="Italic">Pinctada fucata</Emphasis>

In the pearl cultivation farms of the Ehime Prefecture, Japan, mass mortalities of the pearl oyster Pinctada fucata have occurred since 1994. The occurrences of mass mortality roughly coincided with a shift of the dominant phytoplankton from Skeletonema and Chaetoceros to Chaetoceros and Nitzschia all of which belong to Bacillariophyceae. Hence, we evaluated Nitzschia, together with Chaetoceros and Isocrysis, as food for the oyster. Wet weights, lengths, widths, glycogen contents, and growth rates in terms of wet weight of the oysters in all the feeding treatments were significantly higher than those in the non-feeding treatment. The highest glycogen content (2.34%) and growth rate (2.21 g month⁻¹) were found in the Chaetoceros treatment. Growth rate in the Isocrysis treatment (1.63 g month⁻¹) was also high, although glycogen content in this treatment (0.41%) was low. In the Nitzschia treatment, growth rate of the oyster (0.94 g month⁻¹) was the lowest and glycogen content (0.83%) was also low relative to that in the Chaetoceros treatment. Chlorophyll a concentration in fecal pellets was lowest in the Nitzschia treatment (<2.7 μg mg⁻¹), suggesting more complete digestion of Nitzschia by the oyster. Thus, Nitzschia was edible and digestible but not assimilated by P. fucata. We propose the following scenario for the relationship between Nitzschia dominance and mass mortality. When Nitzschia dominates in a culture area, the physiological condition of P. fucata deteriorates due to low assimilation of Nitzschia by the oyster, followed by susceptibility of the oyster to infection by agents lethal to the oyster.     

Potential predation rates by the sea stars Asterias rubens and Marthasterias glacialis, on juvenile scallops, Pecten maximus, ready for sea ranching

The potential for predation by the sea stars Asterias rubens and Marthasterias glacialis on seed-size (41 ± 3 mm shell height) juvenile scallops (Pecten maximus), ready for seeding in sea ranching areas, was investigated in a 30-day laboratory predation experiment. There was no significant difference (P > 0.05) in predation rate of large A. rubens (95–115 mm radium) and large M. glacialis (120–164 mm radius), which averaged 0.88 and 0.71 scallops individual⁻¹ day⁻¹, respectively. Maximum rates of predation were 2.44 scallops individual⁻¹ day⁻¹ for large A. rubens and 3.00 scallops individual⁻¹ day⁻¹ for large M. glacialis. Small M. glacialis (76–87 mm radius) had a significantly lower predation rate than large individuals of either species (average 0.13 scallops individual⁻¹ day⁻¹, P < 0.05). Small A. rubens (50–80 mm radius) only began to prey on scallops when average scallop size was reduced to 35 mm. Based on estimated density of sea stars at a Norwegian sea ranching site and average predation rates, a population of scallops seeded at 10 m⁻² would be reduced by between 0.5 and 11% in 1 month. Furthermore, using the highest observed predation rate, the degree of loss of scallops indicated that scallop culture via sea ranching would not be economically viable and thus methods for reducing scallop predation by sea stars are necessary.     

Effects of air emersion on survival and growth of hatchery rearedgreat scallop spat

Scallop spat production normally requires transfer between growthsystems. Simulated transport experiments were carried out in April, June,December and February to evaluate effects of transport time on greatscallop (Pecten maximus) spat growth and survival. The spat (1.7–1.8 mm in shell-height and 21–25 µg ash free dry weight [AFDW]) wereheld in moist coffee filters at a temperature of 10 °C for up to 24 h,before being replaced into sieves in rearing tanks at 15 °C. The studyshowed that by increasing air emersion time, survival and growthdecreased. No significant difference in the results between 0 and 4 h of airemersion was found, while the effects after 12 and 24 h differed betweenspat groups. Survival and growth rates showed seasonal differences. Meansurvival was 35–71% in April and 77–99% from June to February. In Junemean growth rates attained were 115–128 µm shell-height and 15–18µg AFDW per day compared with 49–69 µm and 3.8–7.0 µgper day for the other spat groups. Great scallop spat may survive atransfer time of 24 h, but transportation for longer than 12 h is notrecommended if subsequent high survival and growth rates are to beensured.     

Small-scale variation in feeding environments for the Manila clam <Emphasis Type="Italic">Ruditapes philippinarum</Emphasis> in a tidal flat in Tokyo Bay

The relative contribution of particulate organic matters (POMs) in water column and sediment as a food source for the Manila clam, Ruditapes philippinarum, was studied using carbon and nitrogen stable isotopic method (δ¹³C and δ¹⁵N) in a tidal flat at Seaside Park, Yokohama, Japan. Comparisons of δ¹³C and δ¹⁵N among R. philippinarum and POMs in surface water, bottom water, and sediment surface indicated that R. philippinarum larger than 5 mm shell length (SL) mainly assimilated benthic POM, and individuals smaller than 5 mm SL assimilated benthic and pelagic POM. Continuous measurements of chlorophyll concentrations in the bottom water revealed tide-driven resuspension of the benthic phytopigments. R. philippinarum showed differences in δ¹³C and δ¹⁵N along an inshore–offshore transect, indicating small-scale spatial differences in POM provision in the tidal flat. These findings suggest that POM in the bottom water, supposedly inhaled by R. philippinarum, is a mixture of a larger proportion of resuspended benthic POM and a smaller proportion of pelagic POM, and that the mixing ratio of the POMs may be affected by the hydrodynamics of flooding water associated with tidal flat topography.     

Spat Collection and Growth to Commercial Size of the Tehuelche Scallop Aequipecten tehuelchus (D'Orb.) in the San Matias Gulf, Patagonia, Argentina

Studies on larval settlement and growth of the commercial scallop Aequipecten tehuelchus were carried out over a 2-yr period in San Matias Gulf, Argentina. Gonadal index was used to indicate spawning and spat collectors were deployed when spawning began. Artificial spat collectors (mono-filament bags filled with thin shrub branches) were placed at a depth of 25 m in two areas of the Gulf during two seasons (1989–1990 and 1991–1992). Maximum settlement occurred by mid-February during the first season and by mid-January in the second season. Larger numbers of spat were found in collectors placed near the sea bottom. After settlement, spat were removed and placed in cages for growout. Scallops reached the average commercial size (60 mm shell height) 16 mo later. Mortality rate during the entire period was 10%.     

Nursery growth, survival and chemical composition of great scallop Pecten maximus (L.) spat from different larval settlement groups

Scallop Pecten maximus spat (1.3–2.1 mm shell height) from different settlement groups were transferred from hatchery to land‐based nursery at different ages and sizes. Chemical content, growth and survival were compared at transfer time and after 1 and 8 weeks of nursery growth. Growth was lowest and mortality highest in the first week after transfer. Mean shell height growth was 21.5–71.4 μm day^?1 and ash‐free dry weight (AFDW) growth ?2.7 to 10.3 μg day^?1. Spat from the first settlement group attained a larger size and weight than spat from larvae settled 3 days later, but had a lower daily growth rate (%). Keeping the late‐settled spat a longer time in the hatchery to reach a bigger size before transfer seemed not to improve subsequent nursery growth. Survival showed a large variation with mean survival ranging from 32% to 74%. A substantial reduction in lipid content was found after transfer to the nursery. Sterol content at transfer was the only lipid class correlating with survival in the nursery. Based on the results, it is justified that spat groups of different settlement age are included in production of 15‐mm great scallop spat if they are transferred from the hatchery at the same age.     

Effect of stocking density on survival and growth performance of pikeperch, <Emphasis Type="Italic">Sander lucioperca</Emphasis> (L.), larvae under controlled conditions

The effect of stocking density on the survival and growth of pikeperch, Sander lucioperca (L.), larvae was examined in two consecutive experiments. In experiment I, 4-day-old larvae [body wet weight (BW): 0.5 mg; total body length (TL): 5.6 mm] were reared in 200-l cylindro-conical tanks in a closed, recirculating system (20 ± 0.5°C) at three stocking densities (25, 50 and 100 larvae l⁻¹) and fed a mixed feed (Artemia nauplii and Lansy A2 artificial feed) for 14 consecutive days. At densities of 25 and 100 larvae l⁻¹, growth rate and survival ranged from 2.7 to 1.9 mg day⁻¹ and from 79.2 to 72.3%, and fish biomass gain ranged from 0.6 to 2.0 g l⁻¹, respectively. There were two periods of increased larval mortality: the first was at beginning of exogenous feeding and the second during swim bladder inflation. In experiment II, 18-day-old larvae (BW: 35 mg; TL: 15.6 mm) obtained from experiment I were reared under culture conditions similar to those of experiment I, but at lower stocking densities (6, 10 and 15 larvae l⁻¹). The fish were fed exclusively with artificial feed (trout starter) for 21 consecutive days. At densities of 6 and 15 larvae l⁻¹, the growth rate and fish biomass gain ranged from 28.8 to 23.1 mg day⁻¹ and from 2.0 to 3.3 g l⁻¹, respectively. The highest survival (56.5%) was achieved at a density of 6 larvae l⁻¹. Mortality at all densities was mainly caused by cannibalism II type behaviour (27–35% of total). In both experiments, growth and survival were negatively correlated and fish biomass gain positively correlated with stocking densities. The present study suggests that the initial stocking density of pikeperch larvae reared in a recirculating system can be 100 individuals l⁻¹ for the 4- to 18-day period post-hatch and 15 individuals l⁻¹ for the post-19-day period.     

The growth of disk abalone, Haliotis discus hannai at different culture densities in a pilot-scale recirculating aquaculture system with a baffled culture tank

The growth rate of disk abalone, Haliotis discus hannai, energy consumption and changes in water quality were monitored in a pilot-scale recirculating aquaculture system (RAS) for 155 days. Baffles were installed in the RAS culture tanks to enlarge the attachment area and clean out solid waste materials automatically by hydraulic force only. The experimental disk abalones, of shell length 24.5 ± 0.5 mm, were cultured at three stocking densities, 700, 1300 and 1910 individuals/m² bottom area, in triplicate. The abalones were fed with sea mustard, Undaria pinnatifida, once a week. The abalone feed conversion rates and daily growth rates ranged from 24.5 to 25.9 and 0.32 to 0.36%, respectively. Their daily shell increments and survival rates ranged from 67.7 to 78.6 μm/day and 87.6–92.2%, respectively. The growth in weight tended to decrease at a culture density of 1300 individuals/m² bottom area, while shell increments and survival rates were acceptable at this density. The total power consumption for heating was 1185.4 kW, comprising 30.2% of the total power consumption, while the average water exchange rate was only 2.9% per day. The total ammonia nitrogen stabilized below 0.07 mg/L, after conditioning of the biofilter. The NO₂⁻–N, NO₃⁻–N and total suspended solid concentrations were also maintained within acceptable ranges for the normal growth of disk abalone. The use of the RAS with these newly designed culture tanks for disk abalone culture produced 1300 individuals/m² bottom area with a water exchange rate of only 2.9% per day and used about one-tenth of the heat energy of a conventional flow-through system.     

Recruitment of catarina scallop (Argopecten ventricosus) larvae on artificial collectors off the NE coast of the Gulf of California

We evaluated recruitment of larvae of catarina scallop, Argopecten ventricosus, in the area of Puerto Peñasco, NE Gulf of California. We moored artificial collectors in six sites from June 2007 to August 2008 and replaced them every 2 months. We used monthly (July 2002–September 2011) sea surface temperature (SST, °C) and surface chlorophyll‐a concentration (SSChl, mg m^?3) Aqua/MODIS satellite data to describe seasonal environmental behaviour study area. Also, we recorded bottom temperature at each site every 4 h, and every 2 months measured sea surface salinity, temperature and dissolved oxygen. We used a repeated measures anova to evaluate differences in the number of recruited spat between main factors, and analysed the presence of multimodal spat shell size frequency distributions. Overall, spat recruitment was negatively correlated with seawater temperature and showed higher spat recruitment abundances throughout winter, which is the season with the highest surface chlorophyll a concentration. We estimated multimodal shell size frequency distributions characterized by more than one modal size. The natural collection of A. ventricosus spat on artificial collectors in the area can be successfully performed over a protracted period (November–December to May–June). Our results extend the area where collection of A. ventricosus spat can be successful.     

A comparison of larval production of the northern scallop,Argopecten purpuratus,in closed and recirculating culture systems

Northern scallop Argopecten purpuratus aquaculture relies on an efficient all year-round larval supply. Larvae are generally produced in closed aquaculture systems (CAS) using the batch techniques with periodical water changes. For instance, survival rates are greatly variable and can range from 0 to 80% making production of scallop larvae uncertain. The main goal of this study was to determine the feasibility of rearing scallop larvae in a recirculating aquacultural system (RAS), and secondarily to compare scallop larval growth rate and time length to reach the settling stage when reared with a traditional Chilean CAS technique and in a novel RAS technique in an industrial-like approach.Several batches of larvae were cultured in CAS and RAS. Larvae were fed on Isochrysis galbana cultured in 35-L tubular photobioreactors. Growth rates were significantly different (F_11,2840 = 274.66; p < 0.001). All scallop larvae cultured in CAS showed lower growth rates ranging within 4.49 and 7.30 μm day^?1 and protracted period of culture until settlement (at least 10 more culture days) than those reared in RAS (growth rates between 9.56 and 13.15 μm day^?1). However, final survival (from D-larvae until settlement) of larvae reared in CAS showed higher values than those values recorded for larvae cultured on RAS. Higher growth rates observed in RAS could be attributed to a reduction in daily manipulation of the animals and/or more feed availability as well as higher temperatures and a steady state conditions in water quality. Even though, the reduction in time for rearing larvae until settlement in RAS was high, the comparison between systems is more significant in view of the reduction in make up seawater from 100% of system volume (CAS) to less than 10% of system volume (RAS). Therefore, RAS was independent from daily water quality variation from natural seawater by increasing water retention time, and with that improve water quality steady state conditions. Results of this research show that a more efficient use of water and heating systems than generally used in the Chilean hatchery industry is achievable. This is an important result since it could lead to significant reductions in the cost of operating a scallop hatchery, however further work is required to accurately compare the two systems (CAS and RAS). The main result from this research is that scallop larvae can be cultivated using recirculating aquaculture systems (RAS) as a method to increase production. The information reported in this paper will be useful for the improvement of scallop larvae culture techniques under controlled conditions.     

Use of acceleration loggers in aquaculture to determine net-cage use and field metabolic rates in red sea bream <Emphasis Type="Italic">Pagrus major</Emphasis>

We investigated the usefulness of acceleration loggers in aquaculture by examining net-cage use and metabolic rates in red sea bream, Pagrus major. First, the fish’s metabolic rate (mg O₂ kg⁻¹ min⁻¹) was measured with the logger in a swim tunnel at designated water velocities. We found that metabolic rate could be expressed by using a linear regression model of the activity rate index (unitless min⁻¹) derived from acceleration data. Using this equation, the field metabolic rates of three fish in a net cage were monitored and were estimated at 14.1–15.0 kcal kg⁻¹ day⁻¹. The results suggested that 15–19% of energy from satiation feeding ration was consumed for metabolism and activity in the net cage. The loggers showed orderly net-cage use by the fish. Tagged individuals used the whole cage from surface to bottom, but individual fish that preferred the surface area rarely used the bottom, and vice versa. Metabolic rate increased significantly with distance of the fish from their preferred depths. The logger provided information on the physiological and behavioral responses of fish in a given breeding system, and its use should contribute to the design of practical aquaculture systems.