Mortality control of scallop larvae in the hatchery

Larval mortalities occurring in molluscan hatcheries have often been associated with bacterial contamination, and more specifically with vibrios. Although batches of oyster and clam larvae have been routinely reared in the hatchery of Argenton (North Brittany, France) without antibiotics, high larval mortalities have been recorded with the great scallop, Pecten maximus, under similar conditions. For this species, an addition of antibiotics was found necessary and chloramphenicol was used at a concentration of 8 mg l^–1. However, this chemical has now been banned in Europe, making either substitution products or an improvement in the rearing procedures essential. Studies carried out have shown that neither a decrease in larval density (to 1 larva ml^–1) nor an increase in seawater change frequency (to one per day) had any positive effects. Furthermore, elective substances such as sugars were not suitable and the use of another antibiotic, erythromycin, led to inconsistent results. The only positive effects were obtained with lower levels of chloramphenicol, which does not resolve the problem. Because no alternative solutions have as yet been found, further research needs to be undertaken.