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Growth and survival of the atlantic pearl oyster pinctada imbricata röding 1798, under suspended culture conditions using hanging ropes and pearl nets

Abstract:

Growth and survival of juvenile pearl mother Pinctada imbricata was evaluated through six months of culture in suspended hanging ropes and pearl nets using a longline in Turpialito Bay, Cariaco Gulf, Venezuela. Pearl oyster seeds 15 mm long were cultured, evaluating survival, shell length, muscle, rest of the body and byssus mass monthly. Variations of salinity, temperature, chlorophyll a, seston, solved oxygen and shell fouling, were determined every two weeks. After six months, the oyster reached dorso-ventral length close to 50 mm. Shell growth pattern was similar for both types of culture, although byssus mass was higher in hanging ropes, while shell length was greater in pearl nets. No significant differences were found in body mass. Survival showed similar patterns in both culture systems, although a decrease in numbers occurred in January for the oysters in pearl nets, associated to the presence of the gastropod Cymatium sp. The phytoplanktonic biomass was positively correlated to growth in P. imbricata, showing to be an important factor in growth modulation. The results suggest the use of the rope system for the culture of P. imbricada.