Strategies for enhancement of natural bay scallop, Argopecten irradians irradians, populations; A case study in the Niantic River estuary, Connecticut, USA

We investigated strategies to enhance populations of bay scallops,Argopecten irradians irradians (Lamarck, 1819), in a presumablyrecruitment-limited natural habitat. At present, the Niantic Riverestuary supports only a minor bay scallop population that is harvestedrecreationally. Three enhancement strategies were evaluated; (1)collection and redistribution of natural spatfall, (2) introduction andover-wintering of hatchery-reared stock into natural habitat to providenew spawning stock, and (3) over-wintering of hatchery-reared stock insuspension culture for creation of mobile spawner sanctuaries. Anassessment of natural bay scallop recruitment in the Niantic Riverconducted in 1997 indicated that few spat were found, they were widelydispersed within the river, and peak spawning occurred in late July1997. Direct re-seeding was evaluated as an enhancement measure byplanting hatchery-reared scallops ( 38 mm shell height) insmall-scale, 100-m² plots at different times and densities.Time of planting and the inferred predation intensity were major factorsaffecting survival; whereas, planting density had no significant effect.Approximately 9,000 scallops (35–45 mm shell height), broadcastwithin an eelgrass bed in November 1997, had high over-winter survivaland underwent gametogenesis and spawning during 1998. Of 26,000 bayscallops ( 45 mm shell height) over-wintered in suspensionculture from 1998–1999, approximately 60–80%survived, and these scallops spawned in mobile sanctuaries, during thesummer of 1999. There is good potential for using aquacultural methodsfor enhancement of bay scallop populations when natural recruitment ispoor and habitat and environmental conditions are not limiting.     

Suspended Culture of Doughboy Scallops Mimachlamys asperrima (Lamarck)

To evaluate the effects of suspended culture on the wet meat weights, reproductive condition and fecundity of doughboy scallops Mimachlamys asperrima , scallops held either in suspended cages or collected from wild stocks on the sea bed were compared over a year. Changes in gonosomatic index (GSI) and macroscopic staging of gonads were similar in both populations; however, after one month, soft body, muscle and gonad weights were heavier in suspended scallops and, with the exception of gonad weight in early summer, remained heavier throughout the year. Fecundity following serotonin-induced spawning of suspended Mimachlamys asperrima was on average almost twice that of similar sized scallops grown on the sea bed (1.58 and 0.84 million eggs/female, respectively). Suspended scallops surpassed all previous maxima for tissue weights, GSI and fecundity recorded for wild Jervis Bay Mimachlamys asperrima . This indicated that farmers could obtain greater meat yields from suspended rather than reseeded or wild Mimachlamys asperrima and that broodstock to be used in hatcheries may be best obtained from suspended culture.     

Utility of high-density plantings in bay scallop, Argopecten irradians irradians, restoration

Two different methods of establishing high-density spawner sanctuaries for bay scallop (Argopecten irradians irradians) restoration were evaluated over 2 years at a site in Northwest Harbor, East Hampton, New York, USA. Hatchery-reared scallops, which had been overwintered at nearby sites, were free-planted directly to the bottom in late March/early April at an initial target density of 94?C128 scallops/m². In addition, scallops were stocked in off-bottom culture units consisting of three vertically stacked 15-mm mesh ADPI^® bags at densities of 50, 100, or 200 scallops/bag (=117, 234, or 468 scallops/m²), respectively. Survival of scallops differed significantly by year, planting method, and scallop source. Survival of free-planted scallops was generally lower than caged scallops. Better survival of free-planted scallops in 2005 versus 2006 likely reflected the presence of luxuriant eelgrass beds in 2005, which were absent in 2006. Survival of scallops in ADPI bags was not appreciably related to stocking density. Shell growth was highest for free-planted scallops; in cages, growth was somewhat better at 50 versus 200 scallops/bag. Wet weights of epibionts were significantly higher in caged versus free-planted scallops. Reproductive condition of scallops stocked at 50/bag was usually higher than at 200/bag. Both free-planting and off-bottom systems yielded high densities of adult bay scallops at the time of spawning, which ensures a higher probability of successful fertilization of spawned eggs and thus a greater potential for success of restoration efforts.     

Efficacy of Netminder® silicone release coating for biofouling reduction in bay scallop grow‐out and comparative effects on scallop survival,growth and reproduction

Netminder^®, a water‐based silicone barrier release coating, was highly effective in reducing biofouling of lantern nets during grow‐out/overwintering of bay scallops, Argopecten irradians irradians, in a large‐scale restoration programme in New York, USA. Compared with untreated nets, scallops held in Netminder^®‐coated nets experienced reduced survival after 8 months, probably due to higher loads of epibionts on their shells. However, this was countered by higher reproductive and overall condition of scallops in treated vs. untreated nets; there were no consistent differences in shell growth in different net treatments. Although further testing is recommended under a wider range of conditions, we conclude that for the purposes of our scallop restoration work, coating nets with Netminder^® would eliminate the need for a gear change in spring, thus reducing labour costs; the coating process should be refined so that Velcro closures of nets do not become sealed shut.     

The effects of epibionts and predators on the growth and mortality rates of Argopecten purpuratus cultures in southern Chile

Epibiont and predator effects on the growth and mortality of the northern scallop Argopecten purpuratus were evaluated in cultures in southern Chile.The most common epibionts were bryozoans, hydrozoans and algae in both study sites, Metri Bay (41°36; 72°43W) and Chidhuapi Channel (41°49S; 73°05W).After 12 months of culture in pearl nets and lantern nets, the scallops size did not show statistically significant differences in cultures with and without epibionts in both study sites nor were there differences in the growth either with or without the presence of predators (decapod crustaceans). The growth rate was higher in Chidhuapi Channel than in Metri Bay.Mortality was concentrated in the initial phase of culture in pearl nets. During the culture phase in lantern nets, the mortality rate was lower than 3%. The mortality rate in scallops with epibionts was higher than when these were removed in the culture phase in pearl nets. In Metri Bay the mortality rate with predators was higher than without predators. Epibionts and predators did not affect mortality in the culture phase in lantern nets.Epibionts and predation are important factors in the early mortality of scallops and therefore in the success of culture. Epibiosis, however, is not important in scallop growth in southern Chile. This is related to the composition of the epibionts and to the low temperatures which probably limit the growth of algae and invertebrates.     

Connectivity of the bay scallop (Argopecten irradians) in Buzzards Bay,Massachusetts, U.S.A.

The harvest of bay scallops (Argopecten irradians) from Buzzards Bay, Massachusetts, U.S.A. undergoes large interannual fluctuations, varying by more than an order of magnitude in successive years. To investigate the extent to which these fluctuations may be due to yearly variations in the transport of scallop larvae from spawning areas to suitable juvenile habitat (settlement zones), a high‐resolution hydrodynamic model was used to drive an individual‐based model of scallop larval transport. Model results revealed that scallop spawning in Buzzards Bay occurs during a time when nearshore bay currents were principally directed up‐bay in response to a persistent southwesterly sea breeze. This nearshore flow results in the substantial transport of larvae from lower‐bay spawning areas to settlement zones further up‐bay. Averaged over the entire bay, the spawning‐to‐settlement zone connectivity exhibits little interannual variation. However, connectivities between individual spawning and settlement zones vary by up to an order of magnitude. The model results identified spawning areas that have the greatest probability of transporting larvae to juvenile habitat. Because managers may aim to increase scallop populations either locally or broadly, the high‐connectivity spawning areas were divided into: (i) high larval retention and relatively little larval transport to adjoining settlement areas, (ii) both significant larval retention and transport to more distant settlement areas, and (iii) little larval retention but significant transport to distant settlement areas.     

The influence of temperature and presence of predators on growth,survival and energy allocation for reproduction in the Catarina scallop Argopecten ventricosus

Environmental factors are known to modify the life history of marine ectotherms. In a 16‐month laboratory experiment, we investigated the influence of temperature and presence of predators on life‐history parameters including shell growth, survival and the energy investment in reproduction and body mass of the short‐lived (2–3 years) scallop Argopecten ventricosus. In parallel, A. ventricosus was maintained in the field at the Pacific coast of Baja California, México, to compare growth, survival and reproductive effort under natural conditions. For the laboratory treatments, scallops were reared at simulated field temperatures (SFT), 5 °C above SFT and in the presence of predators. Elevated water temperatures caused higher growth and gonad production, although at the cost of increased mortality. Presence of predators induced energy allocation to muscle rather than gonad growth, deferred spawning and extended survival. Field scallops exhibited higher growth, higher reproductive investment and were able to reproduce twice, whereas all laboratory scallops died after the first spawning. The natural variability of environmental parameters such as food and temperature may thus support optimal growth in the field, and when animals are protected from predators, reproduction in the second year of life.     

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.     

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.     

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.     

Post-release movement and diel activity patterns of hatchery-reared and wild black-spot tuskfish <Emphasis Type="Italic">Choerodon schoenleinii</Emphasis> determined by ultrasonic telemetry

ABSTRACT:   Post-release movement and diel activity patterns of hatchery-reared and wild black-spot tuskfish were examined using ultrasonic telemetry. Five hatchery-reared and four wild fish were released in the sandy bottom of Urasoko Bay, Ishigaki Island, Okinawa, Japan, and monitored using automated monitoring receivers from November 2005 to February 2006. Both hatchery-reared and wild fish tended to stay near the release site for over two weeks, before leaving the release site. Both hatchery-reared and wild tuskfish showed diurnal rhythm intermittently; signals were recorded more frequently in the daytime and less frequently in the nighttime, suggesting that the fish of both origins were active during the day and inactive during the night. These findings indicate that the one-year-old hatchery-reared tuskfish have some consistent behavioral characteristics with those of the wild.     

Reproductive cycle of the venerid clam <Emphasis Type="Italic">Meretrix lusoria</Emphasis> in Ariake Sound and Tokyo Bay,Japan

We assessed the reproductive cycle of the venerid clam Meretrix lusoria by histological analysis of the gonads. Individuals for study were collected from natural populations on the Shirakawa tidal flat, Ariake Sound, and from populations that had been transplanted from the Shirakawa flat to the Oi flat in Tokyo Bay. In both study areas, the reproductive cycle was synchronized between sexes. Gonads of the clam started to develop in early spring and matured during the summer. Mass spawning occurred in the late summer/early fall. The clam matured at a shell length of 17–20 mm, which is much smaller than previously considered. While trophic conditions and salinity differed considerably in the two study areas, water temperatures showed similar seasonal changes (12°C during the winter and around 30°C during the summer). Thus, temperature probably controlled gonadal development. The coincidence of the period of spawning with the period of frequent intrusion of hypoxic waters into the tidal flats in Tokyo Bay suggests that such hypoxic events interfere with clam recruitment and are at least partly responsible for the disappearance of the natural population at this location.     

Domestication effects on fin nipping, survival and growth in hatchery-reared arctic charr, Salvelinus alpinus (L.), in competition with wild conspecifics

When reared in captivity, first-generation hatchery-reared Arctic charr, Salvelinus alpinus (L.), from Møkkeland lake, northern Norway, differed from wild-caught conspecifics from the same source. Incidence of caudal fin damage (used as an indirect assessment of aggressive interactions) was high amongst the wild-caught charr, and there was considerable mortality amongst these fish. By contrast, hatchery-reared fish displayed little evidence of fin damage, and mortalities were low. When the charr were held in mixed groups of wild-caught and hatchery-reared fish, the hatchery-reared fish showed the most extensive caudal fin damage. Weight losses and decreases in condition were also greatest amongst the hatchery-reared charr that were exposed to competition with wild fish. The hatchery-reared charr held together with the wild fish also suffered high mortality. Thus, aggression may have been selectively directed towards hatchery-reared fish in mixed groups. Taken together, the results suggest that the energetic costs may be high for the recipients of aggression.     

The culture of the southern bay scallop in Tampa Bay, an urban Florida estuary

Bay scallop, Argopecten irradians concentricus (Say), stocks were collected from a Homosassa (Florida) population in 1991 and were kept in seawater from Bayboro Harbor on Tampa Bay, an urban Florida estuary. They were fed with Isochrysis galbana and Tetraselmis sp. Spawning was allowed to occur after the scallops became ripe. The hatching rate of the F1 eggs to D-shaped larvae was 72%. Settlement and metamorphosis began 11 days after fertilization. When spat reached a shell height of 0.8 mm in the laboratory, they were placed with substrates into 300 and 800 m mesh bags, and later in lantern nets, suspended from a dock in Bayboro Harbor. The F1 scallops successfully survived to gonad maturity in the fall of 1992, with mean (sd) shell height of 49.8 (4.0) mm on 6 September 1992. The scallops experienced heavy mortality during the summer, partially as a result of heavy fouling. From early August to October of 1992, F1 scallops grown in Bayboro Harbor were successfully spawned in the laboratory. Growth and survival of the F2 scallops were comparable to those of the F1 scallops. Results have shown that bay scallops can complete an entire life cycle in an urban estuary such as Tampa Bay, and a hatchery for bay scallops on the estuary can assist in the restoration of the population. Fouling represents a possible severe limitation and alternatives to caging for grow-out should be considered.     

Reproductive condition of the pearl oyster, Pinctada imbricata, Röding, in Port Stephens, New South Wales, Australia

In an investigation of the potential for pearl production in New South Wales (NSW), Australia, changes in the physical and reproductive condition of the pearl oyster, Pinctada imbricata, were monitored for over 2 years. Using wild oysters gathered from close to the southern extent of the species' range in Port Stephens, NSW, a series of macroscopic and histological observations were made. Reproductive activity in P. imbricata was greatest from late spring to early autumn with oysters in poor reproductive condition during winter. Peaks in reproductive indices occurred in November 1998, March 1999, December 1999 and April 2000. Four indices of physiological condition were used: shell growth, byssal attachment, mantle thickness and mucoprotien layer. With the exception of the thickness and extent of the mucoprotein layer, these indices either showed little variation or the variation that occurred was not related to seasonal or reproductive changes. Changes in the mucoprotein layer were correlated with water temperature and suggest that this layer is metabolized during periods of high demand such as during gonadogenesis. Collectors deployed at two sites in Port Stephens demonstrated that spatfall occurs largely in the months of December and January following the spring and early summer peaks in reproductive activity (November 1998 and December 1999). Spatfall was not observed following the autumnal peaks (March 1999 and April 2000) in reproductive activity. Overall, reproductive patterns in P. imbricata are poorly suited to spat supply in Port Stephens. Farmers require spat in early spring (September) to allow maximum use of the ‘growing’ season (September–May). Reproductively capable oysters are not available from the wild until September and quantity of natural spatfall is too variable and occurs too late in the season (December–January). As a result, oysters are being conditioned in the hatchery in July, spawned in August and spat are supplied to farmers in mid September.     

马氏珠母贝大亚湾和三亚野生种群内自繁及种群间杂交一代的RAPD分析

运用RAPD技术分析了广东大亚湾野生种群内繁殖一代DDl群体和海南三亚野生种群内繁殖一代SSl、两野生种群间杂交一代DS1群体各18个个体的遗传多样性。筛选的28个含10碱基的随机引物中，其中11个随机引物可产生稳定和可重复的多态扩增结果，共检测出86个位点，其中DDl群体有74个基因位点，其中56个表现多态，多态比例为75．68％；SSl群体79个基因位点，其中57个表现多态，多态比例是72．15％；DSl群体有72个基因位点，其中64个表现多态，多态比例为88．89％。用修正的Shannon表型多态性指数量化3个群体的遗传多态性，DDl、SSl和DS13个群体的遗传多态性分别为0．2280，0．2ll5和0．2456。不同地理种群间杂交能够增加子代的遗传多态性。     

Migration and life history alternatives in a high latitude species, the broad whitefish, Coregonus nasus Pallas

Abstract – We examined the expected changes in the life history trajectory of an Arctic species, broad whitefish, in the lower Mackenzie River between an anadromous population with spawning migrations of 350–450 km and a potamodromous population with spawning migrations of 5–12 km. Based on life history theory we predicted that the anadromous population would have faster growth, later age-at-maturity, and greater reproductive investment than the potamodromous population. Early in its life the anadromous population had faster growth than the potamodromous but later growth was slower. Age-at-maturity was greater in the anadromous population than the potamodromous. Reproductive investment was higher in the anadromous population. We conclude that the broad whitefish did not conclusively follow the pattern of variation observed between migratory and relatively sedentary populations in temperate zones. Fecundity was greater in the migratory population but not conclusively linked to age-at-maturity or growth-rate differences.     

Status of a commercial sea scallop enhancement project in Iles-de-la-Madeleine (Quebec, Canada)

The main objective of the REPERE (REcherche sur le Petoncle a des fins d'Elevage et de REpeuplement) research programme, initiated in the Iles-de-la-Madeleine in 1991, was to enhance natural sea scallop (Placopecten magellanicus) populations which were greatly reduced by overfishing. Sea bed seeding was chosen as the best approach to achieve this goal. In 1992, after two years of scientific research work, mainly centred on producing a supply of juveniles and developing intermediate culture methods, the Scallop Fishermen's Association, supported by governmental financing, initiated a commercial seeding project. Two thousand collectors were set out in open waters suitable for spat settlement. A collecting rate of 780 spat per collector produced a catch of 1.5 million spat. Technical problems led to significant losses of juveniles. Intermediate culture in pearl nets in a lagoon, between July and October 1993, enhanced growth noticeably. At an age of 1 y, average shell height was 32 mm. In the fall of 1993, 30 000 young scallops were seeded on a natural bed closed to fishing. Ten thousand collectors were set out in the fall of 1993. Collecting success was 1145 spat per collector and spat losses were reduced by technical improvements. In November 1994, 1.5 million scallops were seeded on a sea bed closed to the fishery. Scallops from the 1994 seeding could reach market size (90 mm) by 1997.     

Comparison of behavioral characteristics of hatchery-reared and wild red tilefish Branchiostegus japonicus released in Maizuru Bay by using acoustic biotelemetry

ABSTRACT:   In order to establish techniques for the stock enhancement of red tilefish Branchiostegus japonicus , it is important to understand the behavioral characteristic of both hatchery-reared and wild fish. Four hatchery-reared and six wild fish were released and tracked using acoustic biotelemetry in Maizuru Bay, Kyoto, Japan, from August 2003 to February 2004. Data for the four wild fish released and tracked from January 2003 to May 2003 were also referred to for analysis. The released fish moved around in relatively large areas within about 10 days after the release, and then three hatchery-reared and two wild fish settled and stayed within limited areas. Fish of both origins showed strong site fidelity and diel activity patterns, i.e. they were detectable in the day but not at night, probably due to hiding behavior in their burrows at night. However, some discrepancies between fish of both origins were detected by comparing their track terms and activity patterns in detail. These discrepancies are probably attributable to the differences in environmental conditions that the fish had experienced before release.     

Spawning Frequency Analysis of Wild and Pond-Reared Pacific White Shrimp Penaeus vannamei Broodstock under Large-Scale Hatchery Conditions

Second generation Penaeus vannamei broodstack, pond-reared and wild populations, were compared for spawning frequency and several variables associated with reproductive performance. For this purpose, 470 pond-reared and 237 wild-caught individually tagged females were stocked with males of the same origin in ten maturation tanks in a commercial hatchery, and several productivity variables were recorded over time. Results of the analysis indicate that wild shrimp had higher mating and spawning frequencies compared to pond-reared broodstock. The number of nauplii per spawn was higher for wild shrimp, but fertilization and hatching rates were higher for pond-reared spawners. A larger proportion of nonmating females were found in pond-reared shrimp; whereas, wild females had a higher potential for multiple matings. The spawn quality (fertilization and hatching rates, percentage of viable spawns, and number of nauplii) in consecutive matings did not decline substantially. The present study indicates that selection of females with multiple spawning capabilities can be an important commercial strategy to improve nauplii production over the short term. Pond-reared broodstock can be an adequate source for applying this strategy because of their year-round availability and an overall acceptable reproductive performance.