Polyculture of sea scallops (Placopecten magellanicus) suspended from salmon cages

Commercial and developmental operations for the culture of the seascallop, Placopecten magellanicus, are present in AtlanticCanada and New England. In an experiment designed to examine the commercialfeasibility of polyculture of scallops with Atlantic salmon(Salmo salar), we measured growth andsurvival of sea scallops grown in suspension at two salmon aquaculture sites innortheastern Maine (Johnson Cove (JC) and Treats Island (TI)). Sea scallop spatwere grown in pearl nets and deployed on drop lines containing ten nets inAugust 1994. One drop line of ten nets was sampled about every four months andscallops were counted, measured and weighed. Scallop tissues were also analysedfor paralytic shellfish toxins (PSP). The maximum level of PSP recorded duringthe study was 1174 g STX equiv.·100 gtissue^–1 (excluding adductor muscle weight). After one year,shell heights were 53.6 and 56.4 mm, growth rates were 0.11 and0.12 mm per day and wet adductor muscle weights were 3.3 and 4.1g (TI and JC, respectively). These growth rates were comparable tosea scallops grown in suspension culture to a nearby scallop aquaculture siteand other areas in Atlantic Canada. Reduced rates of survival were found duringthe latter part of the experiment and were attributable, in part, to heavyfouling, predators and high stocking density. The potential for supplementalincome, diversification of the salmon aquaculture industry, and feasibility ofculturing scallops at adjacent sites to salmon operations does exist.     

Effect of temperature on the scope for growth in juvenile scallops Argopecten purpuratus (Lamark, 1819)

Theeffect of temperature on scope for growth was determined in juveniles of thenorthern scallop Argopecten purpuratus (Lamarck, 1819).This economically important species, has been introduced into the south ofChilegiven that large-scale cultivation within the natural distribution zone islimited. Nevertheless, the lower water temperatures that exist in the southcould restrict the growth rate. No difference in the scope for growth wasdetected in specimens kept at 10 ± 1 °C and 18 ±1 °C and fed with a mixed diet 1:1 of Chaetocerosgracilis and Tetraselmis suecica. Temperaturedid not affect the quantity of energy derived from food ingested, but energyloss through respiration, faeces and excretion was greater at 10 ± 1°C than at 18 ± 1 °C. The resultsindicate that the growth rates of A. purpuratus aremaintained between 10 ± 1 °C and 18 ± 1°C, which would favour large-scale cultivation over a widelatitudinal range.     

The recruitment of scallops (and beyond) by two different artificial collectors (Gulf of Taranto,Mediterranean Sea)

This study provides for the first time an evaluation of the natural availability of scallop seeds along the coastal area of Taranto (Mediterranean Sea, Southern Italy). To select the best artificial collectors to harvest scallop seeds in this area, cylindrical collectors (Cyl) were compared to traditional ‘Japanese‐style onion bags’ (Bag) across three sites. Scallops represented 26.6% of total bivalve recruitment among all collectors (782 ± 331 ind. m^?2). The most recruited scallops were Flexopecten glaber and Mimachlamys varia. The white (F. glaber) and black scallops (M. varia) were abundant at all three sites, while the queen scallop, Aequipecten opercularis, was only found at one site. Beyond the recruitment of scallops, numerous other potential commercial bivalve species were collected, including Limaria tuberculata, which was the most abundant bivalve species (33.3% of total recruitment). At all sites, Bag collectors had higher recruitment than Cyl collectors. Scallops recruited in artificial collectors exhibited a multicohort size distribution at most sites, suggesting potentially continuous reproductive activity in the scallop populations. F. glaber, M. varia and L. tuberculata could be good candidates to diversify the aquaculture production because of the availability of seed and their growth rate. Moreover, the farming of these bivalves integrates well with other forms of aquaculture (e.g. mussels), thus potentially offering farmers an additional source of income.     

Predation risk management of sea stars (Asterias amurensis and Distolasterias nipon) by adjusting the density and size of seeded scallops (Mizuhopecten yessoensis): an improvement to local mariculture

Optimizing the release density and size of juvenile commercial species for local ecosystems is a critical issue that should be considered when countering predation impacts. To ascertain whether mariculture production of the Japanese scallop (Mizuhopecten yessoensis) could be enhanced by modifying releasing practices, we experimentally investigated the effects of density and size of scallop seeds on their survival in the presence of two sea star species, Asterias amurensis and Distolasterias nipon, with different predation capacities. Under current mariculture practices, the juveniles are briefly exposed to air just before release; therefore, we also examined how air exposure stress increased the predation risk. Scallop survival in the presence of both sea stars increased by?>?20% by increasing scallop size from 30 to 50 mm. Increasing scallop density (range: 5 to 30 scallops m^?2) increased each individual’s survival in the presence of A. amurensis but had no significant effect on predation by D. nipon. Therefore, the release of smaller quantities of large-sized scallops rather than larger quantities of small scallops is recommended to reduce D. nipon predation. In the presence of sea stars, especially by D. nipon, the predation impact on small scallops increased after just a few hours of air exposure, indicating that air exposure of juvenile scallops should be minimized. Our results will mitigate the economic cost of mariculture by facilitating the determination of optimal release conditions for juvenile scallops.

     

Comparison of shell strength in wild and cultured scallops (Pecten maximus)

Shell strength development of the scallop Pecten maximus collected from wild stocks and from suspended cultures was described over the culture period when most of the growth takes place (20–110 mm shell height). Shell strength, shell height and shell thickness were determined in scallops of age groups 2–5 years. Wild and cultured scallops showed a strong divergence in shell strength development in scallops older than age group 3, which was not reflected in the concurrent development of shell height and thickness, indicating that factors other than shell height and shell thickness explain the differences in observed shell strength. In wild scallops, shell height, shell thickness and age accounted for about 65% of the variation in shell strength, while the same variables accounted for about 30% in cultured scallops. Wild scallops had stronger shells than the cultured scallops of the same size (53–68 mm shell height) grown at the same site, suggesting that factors related to suspended culture could explain the weak shells in cultured scallops. The results indicate that conditions related to suspended culture can have a negative impact on shell strength development in P. maximus. As the shell is the primary protection against decapod predation in scallops, a better understanding of what affects the shell strength is of importance for the development of release strategies in bottom culture of P. maximus.     

Growth,survival and immune activity of scallops,Chlamys farreri Jones et Preston,compared between suspended and bottom culture in Haizhou Bay,China

We examined the growth, survival and immune response of the scallop, Chlamys farreri, during a 1‐year period in deep water of Haizhou Bay. Scallops were cultured using two methods: (1) in lantern nets at a 5 m depth and (2) in a bottom culture system (sleeves) on the seabed at about a 25 m depth. Shell heights, meat dry weight and immune activities in the haemolymph (superoxide dismutase and myeloperoxidase) were measured bimonthly or quarterly from July 2007 to June 2008. Survival was measured at the end of the study and environmental parameters in the experimental layers were monitored during the experiment. The growth and immune activities of scallops were lower when the water temperature was high, which was consistent with the main mortality occurring in summer. The growth and immunity of scallops were higher in the suspended culture than in the bottom culture during the experiment, with the exception of shell growth during the last study period. Survival of scallops in the suspended culture (54.6±12.3%) was significantly lower than that in the bottom culture (86.8±3.5%) at the end of this study. We conclude from our results that the high mortality of C. farreri can be prevented by culturing them in a bottom culture system before November of the first year, and then transferring them to a suspended culture to improve scallop production.     

A model to explain the formation of catarina scallop, Argopecten circularis (Sowerby, 1835), beds, in Magdalena Bay, Mexico

Abstract. During the years of 1989 and 1990, the yield of the commercial fishery for the catarina scallop, Argopecten circularis (Sowerby, 1835), in Magdalena Bay, was 750 million organisms (5186t of muscles), which were gathered by diving at 12–30m depth. This production is the largest registered to date and accounted for 53% of the total Mexican scallop production since 1981. The formation of large beds in that area is a sporadic phenomenon which needs to be studied. In the present paper, a model to explain the formation of such beds is drawn, in which the bentho-pelagic red crab, Pleuroncodes planipes (Stimpson, 1860), plays a role as primary substrate for the recruitment of the spat and simultaneously is the active transporter of juveniles into the Bay during the winter months of cold years. Apparently exploitable beds are formed only when temperatures of 16°C or lower, are registered deep inside the Bay for at least 2 months. Relating these findings with short and long-term temperature fluctuations, it seems possible to predict future exploitable stocks in the area.     

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.     

Settlement of the commercial scallop,Pecten fumatus (Reeve) 1855, on artificial collectors in eastern Tasmania

The settlement of the commercial scallop, Pecten fumatus (Reeve) 1855, in artificial collectors was monitored on the east coast of Tasmania over a 4-year period using spat collection techniques similar to those practised in Japan. Major spat settlement occurred in mid-late September but small irregular settlements were observed in late spring and early summer. Information on settlement obtained in the first 2 years of the study was successfully applied in the collection of large quantities of scallop spat during the later years of the study.The number of settled scallop spat and growth of the spat varied with depth. Maximum settlement occurred at depths of 16–22 m, with a decrease in numbers towards the surface and the seabed (depth, 31 m). Growth of scallop spat also varied with depth. Scallops in collectors near the surface grew faster than those in deeper water, the most noticeable change in growth occurring at depths between 16 and 20 m.A considerable percentage (up to 62%) of settled spat were lost from the larger-mesh collectors and most losses occurred when spat detached their byssal threads in late November-mid-December. Further losses are attributed to fish predation and competition with colonising ascidians. Major colonising groups apart from scallops included brown and filamentous algae, ascidians, bryozoans, crabs, shrimps, gastropods, bivalves and fish.     

Pathogenicity and infectivity of a rickettsia-like organism in the sea scallop, Placopecten magellanicus

Abstract. A rickettsia-like organism from the gills and plicate membrane of the sea scallop, Placopecten magellanicus , was prevalent in near-shore Rhode Island scallop populations such as Block Island Sound and Narragansett Bay, but relatively scarce in Georges Bank samples. Fifty-three per cent of scallops transplanted in cages to Narragansett Bay became infected with the rickettsiae in 2.5-3.5 months. Scallops that were transferred to aquaria with Narragansett Bay water were 100% infected with rickettsiae in 5 months or less. There is some evidence that heavy infection of P. magellanicus inhibits swimming response and that rickettsial infection may contribute indirectly to mortalities by reducing scallop mobility and avoidance of predators. The organism was successfully cultured in gill organ culture and by direct injection of infected tissue homogenate, but could not be grown on artificial media or in yolk sac of embryonated hens' eggs. Other bivalve species could not be infected with the rickettsia of P. magellanicus through the water column or by direct injection.     

Implications of marine environment change on Japanese scallop (Mizuhopecten yessoensis) aquaculture suitability: a comparative study in Funka and Mutsu Bays,Japan

The determination of the causes for the changes in marine environment in areas with similar oceanic climate forcing on most suitable sites for scallop aquaculture can help to ensure long‐term sustainability of the coastal ecosystem. This study assessed aquaculture suitability sites using dominant indicators of marine ecological dynamics on Japanese scallop culture in Funka and Mutsu Bays, Japan as comparative examples. Data sources comprised of Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS), four dimensional‐variational (4D‐VAR) data assimilation system, Advanced Land Observing Satellite (ALOS), in situ and buoy measurements. The suitable sites were ranked on a scale of 1 (least suitable) to 8 (most suitable). In the most suitable sites in aquaculture operational areas, Funka Bay had a high proportion (51.1%) than Mutsu Bay (13.7%) for the best performed model. Peaks of aquaculture suitability scores were attributed to potential effects of currents. Extreme sea temperatures (>24°C) in summer 2010 were associated with low performance of the 2010 model in Mutsu Bay and mortality of scallops based on sea temperature‐depth visualizations. Future global warming effects are likely to decrease the most suitable culture sites in Funka Bay and loss of similar areas in Mutsu Bay. Thus, change in marine environment influences scallop culture development. Such concepts could form scientific basis for aquaculture planning on designated system of larval distribution and stock management of cultured species to minimize mortality and economic losses.     

Growth and mortality of cultured bay scallops in the Damariscotta River, Maine (USA)

Growth and mortality of hatchery-reared bay scallops, Argopecten irradians, were determined over an 18 month period (July 1994-December 1995) at two locations in the Damariscotta River, Maine, north of its natural distribution. Growth occurred primarily between May and October when mean water temperature exceeded 10 °C. Final mean shell height (56.3 mm) was significantly greater (p 0.0005) at the upriver site than at the downriver site in association with a higher mean water temperature. Cumulative mortality (43-49%) over this period occurred primarily over the winter months, in conjunction with mean water temperatures below 5 °C. Although it is possible to rear bay scallops to commercial size in Maine, the short growing season, high winter mortality, and costs associated with over-wintering and fouling will likely deter commercial culture.     

两个海区栉孔扇贝感染AVNV的比较分析

急性病毒性坏死病毒(acute viral necrosis virus,AVNV)是一种能导致栉孔扇贝大规模死亡的DNA病毒,研究通过检测不同养殖模式和不同苗种来源的栉孔扇贝样本携带AVNV的情况,以寻找合理的养殖模式和苗种,降低疾病的发生。以扇贝单一养殖的青岛流清河海区和贝藻间养的荣成桑沟湾海区为采样点,每月(2010年3月—2011年4月)定期采集2个海区野生苗养殖和人工苗养殖的栉孔扇贝样品各10只,共得到扇贝样本480只。取扇贝外套膜组织,提取DNA,采用巢式PCR检测扇贝感染AVNV的情况,并对2个海区2类栉孔扇贝AVNV感染率进行比较。结果显示,在2个海区的2类栉孔扇贝体内均检测到AVNV,流清河海区野生苗和人工苗养殖栉孔扇贝AVNV感染率分别为21.1%和18.9%,桑沟湾海区2类扇贝AVNV感染率分别为11.1%和5.6%;2个海区AVNV感染扇贝均集中在7、8月份,其中,流清河海区最高可达80%,桑沟湾海区最高仅40%。研究表明,贝藻间养和选用人工苗能有效减少AVNV对养殖扇贝的感染,是控制养殖扇贝发病死亡的有效措施。     

Filtration of king scallops (Pecten maximus)

Filtration rates of hatchery-reared king scallop (Pecten maximus L.) juveniles, fed a single species alga diet (Pavlova lutheri (Droop) Green), were measured at a range of temperatures (6–21 °C). Weight specific filtration rate (ml min⁻¹ g⁻¹ (live weight)) of juveniles of a selected size range of 17–19 mm shell height (0.26–0.36 g live weight) increased with temperature above 16 °C and decreased below 11 °C, but was not significantly different between these two temperatures. Measurements at 16 °C using juveniles with a wider size range of 10–25 mm shell height (0.05–0.8 g live weight) gave the allometric equation: filtration rate (ml min⁻¹)=12.19×weight (g)^0.887. Filtration rate decreased significantly when the cell concentration was greater than 200 cells μl⁻¹ (4.25 mg (organic weight) l⁻¹). With six other algae food species, filtration rates similar to those with P. lutheri were only achieved with Chaetoceros calcitrans (Paulsen) Takano. All other algae species tested were cleared from suspension at significantly lower rates. Experiments with diet mixtures of P. lutheri and these other algae suggested that this was usually a reflection of lowered filtration activity, rather than pre-ingestive rejection of cells. In experimental outdoor nursery rearing systems, the filtration rate was inversely proportional to the concentration of cells in the inflow, in the range 5–210 cells μl⁻¹. It was not affected by flow rate (2–130 l h⁻¹, equivalent to 0.12–28.38 l h⁻¹ g⁻¹ (live weight)) with scallop juveniles stocked from 2 to 62 g l⁻¹. The results are discussed in relation to on-growing scallops at field sites.     

Chlamydiosis: a newly reported serious disease of larval and postmetamorphic bay scallops, Argopecten irradians (Lamarck)

Abstract. Diseases of bivalve molluscs characterized by the presence of prokaryotic intra-cytoplasmic inclusion bodies in epithelial cells are reviewed. The paper reports the history, clinical and pathological findings during hatchery epizootics of chlamydiosis in larval and postmetamorphic bay scallops, Argopecten irradians (Lamarck), and enzootic infection in wild, captive and cultured adult and juvenile bay scallops during a 15-year period (1972–1987) of surveillance for scallop diseases in the northeastern Atlantic coastal region of the United States. The disease was found in 44·4% of adult bay scallop laboratory accessions as an endemic disease without overt clinical signs or mortalities, and as a highly fatal epizootic disease with a rapid course in 20% of hatchery-reared larval and postmetamorphic bay scallop accessions. The pathogenesis and development of the chlamydial agent during hatchery epizootics are described. The importance of the congenital 'childhood' diseases of larval bay scallops and other species of bivalve molluscs is discussed.     

Particle clearance and selection in three species of juvenile scallops

Juvenile scallops (<2 mm shell height) of three species (Placopecten magellanicus, Patinopecten yessoensis, Argopecten irradians) were fed mixed, unialgal cultures. Scallops were fed a total of six algal clones simultaneously and clearance rates were monitored using flow cytometric techniques. In another experiment, scallops were presented with natural assemblages of particulate matter as a food source. Data are presented on differences in clearance rates for the individual algal species as well as size-related differences of algal clones, and uptake of chlorophyll vs. non-chlorophyll cells, both within and between scallop species. Significant differences in clearance rates of individual algal species have been found within and between scallop species. Particle selection does not appear to be based upon size alone and is apparently based on other characteristics of the algae as well. The results demonstrate pre-ingestive sorting.     

Growth rate and natural mortality of the scallop Pecten alba tate in Port Phillip Bay,Australia, and evidence for changes in growth rate after a 20-year period

The instantaneous coefficient of natural mortality of the scallop Pecten alba Tate in Port Phillip Bay (38°S, 145° E) in south-eastern Australia was estimated from tag-recapture experiments as 0.52 year⁻. Values for the parameters k and l₀₀ of the von Bertalanffy growth curve were 1.6 and 86 mm, respectively. Our results indicate that the growth rate of P. alba has increased substantially since the species was first commercially exploited 20 years ago. The scallops now attain a shell length of 70 mm more than 1 year sooner. We suggest that the increase in growth rate is related to density-dependence effects resulting from 20 years of commercial exploitation by scallop dredgers.     

Repopulation and culture of the Pacific Calico scallops in Bahia Concepcion, Baja California Sur, Mexico

The Pacific Calico scallop, Argopecten ventricosus (Sowerby), is the most important commercial species in Bahia Concepcion. Catches declined steadily from 1991 to 1993 as a result of overexploitation, forcing the adoption of management measures. The Government has now established regulations for exploitation and scallop culture development. In 1994, Centro Interdisciplinario de Ciencias Marinas (CICIMAR) and the Fisheries Department of the Mexican Government initiated research on the feasibility of increasing scallop biomass through a reseeding programme to protect artisanal fishing. The use of onion bags to collect spat in Bahia Concepcion (1988-1994) demonstrated that settlement was cumulative from January to March. At Punta Coloradito, there were two peaks, in January and early March. Commercial collectors were deployed in February at El Indio and in April at El Remate. In June, about one million juvenile scallops were placed in an enclosure, held until mid-August and then released. Mass mortality (>80%) of the scallops was observed in September, increasing to 99% in October. The high water temperature and predators may be responsible for the mortalities.     

A seeding experiment of juvenile great scallops (Pecten maximus (L.)) off the Island of Jersey.

In 1995, landings of Great scallops, Pecten maximus(L.) increased dramatically in Jersey from around one tonne in the previousyear, to 66 tonnes and this continues to rise. This was caused by theintroduction of scallop diving permits and diversification of the fishingfleet.Due to this increase in effort it was decided that the feasibility of ranchingone-year-old juvenile scallops should be investigated. 100,000 scallops werepurchased from Ireland and seeded in specifically selected coastal sites. Thescallops grew from 22.8 mm shell length and 1.17 grams to 57.6mm and 23.2 grams in the first six months after seeding, and to93.3 mm and 88.9 grams during the subsequent 12 months. Growthrateslowed considerably during winter months. Given these growth rates the scallopswill reach market size in three years from settlement, less than the 4, 5 and 6years taken in Guernsey, the Eastern Channel and the offshore Irish Searespectively. Although growth rates are not unique and are comparable withotherinshore sites in the UK, they are significant for scallop farming in Jerseywaters. Mortality following re-seeding and predation rates by crab and starfishappears to be lower than reported by other workers. However this has not yetbeenquantified.     

Seasonal variations in growth and clearance rate of the Zhikong scallop <Emphasis Type="Italic">Chlamys farreri</Emphasis> suspended in the deep water of Haizhou Bay,China

The growth and survival of the Zhikong scallop Chlamys farreri suspended in deep water of Haizhou Bay were studied from July 2007 to June 2008, and the biodeposition method was used to estimate the clearance rate of C. farreri under field conditions. Results showed that the scallop grew fast during all the culture time, with the exception of summer. The condition index of the scallop increased with time and reached the highest value in spring of the second year. The survival of scallops was 60.8 ± 3.9% at the end of this study, mortality occurring mainly during the summer and autumn of the first year. The clearance rate fluctuated obviously with season,with the highest value in September 2007, and the lowest value in March 2008. Factors accounting for variations in growth and clearance rate of scallops are also discussed.