Abstract
ABSTRACTThe growth of hard shell clams (Mercenaria mercenaria Linné and Mercenaria campechiensis Gmelin) and their F1 cross in a controlled experimental environment was compared to growth in uncontrolled natural environments. The clams were spawned by Paul Chanley of Shelter Island Oyster Company, Inc., Greenport, New York.In the controlled environment of the artificial upwelling mariculture system on St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands, pollutants and predators were absent and fouling was minimal. Salinity was 34.75 to 34.95 ppt and water temperature varied between 22 and 30 C during the experiment. Natural environments in temperate, subtropical, and tropical waters were selected as sites for comparative studies: Southold on Southold Bay, New York; Wachapreague on Bradfords Bay, Virginia; Alligator Harbor on the northwest Gulf Coast of Florida; Kupeke Pond in Pukoo, Molokai, Hawaii; and Salt River Inlet, St. Croix.Clams from each population‐M. mercenaria, M. campechiensis and their F1 cross‐were planted at Southold, New York, and at both St. Croix sites. Only M. campechiensis and F1 clams were sent to Virginia and Florida, and F1 clams and M. mercenaria were sent to Hawaii. Increase in length, “wet” weight, and survival were measured at the different locations from April 1973 through May‐June 1974.M. campechiensis and F1 clams reached market size (greater than 25.5 mm thick) in 6.5 to 13 months in the St. Croix artificial upwelling system. These clams did not reach market size in Southold, New York; Wachapreague, Virginia; or Salt River Inlet, St. Croix. The F1, clams in Molokai, Hawaii, and in Alligator Harbor, Florida, were close to market size when the experiment was terminated after 13 months. Survival and growth of M. mercenaria was poor in the artificial upwelling controlled environment, in Salt River Inlet, St. Croix, and in Molokai, Hawaii.
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callMore From: Proceedings of the annual meeting - World Mariculture Society
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
