Suspension-feeding aquaculture systems: Effects of phytoplankton concentration and temperature on growth of the bay scallop

Abstract

The growth rate of the bay scallop Argopecten irradians was studied in relation to temperature and phytoplankton concentration. Results suggest that normal variations in phytoplankton concentration do not influence the growth rate of scallops in their natural habitat. Increasing the concentration of phytoplankton above natural levels did not result in increased growth rates while decreasing the phytoplankton concentration resulted in a decrease in growth rate of the scallops. Under extremely low phytoplankton concentrations, such as those that characterize ‘clean water’ effluent from a culture system, the animals ceased growing. A mathematical model of scallop growth rate as a function of phytoplankton concentration is proposed as a tool for comparing the functioning of different suspension feeders in aquaculture systems.