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.