Journal article
Biofouling leads to reduced shell growth and flesh weight in the cultured mussel Mytilus galloprovincialis
M Sievers, I Fitridge, T Dempster, MJ Keough
Biofouling | TAYLOR & FRANCIS LTD | Published : 2013
Abstract
Competitive interactions between cultured mussels and fouling organisms may result in growth and weight reductions in mussels, and compromised aquaculture productivity. Mussel ropes were inoculated with Ciona intestinalis, Ectopleura crocea or Styela clava, and growth parameters of fouled and unfouled Mytilus galloprovincialis were compared after two months. Small mussels (≈50 mm) fouled by C. intestinalis and E. crocea were 4.0 and 3.2% shorter in shell length and had 21 and 13% reduced flesh weight, respectively, compared to the controls. Large mussels (≈68 mm) fouled by S. clava, C. intestinalis and E. crocea were 4.4, 3.9 and 2.1% shorter than control mussels, respectively, but flesh wei..
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Awarded by Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
Funding Acknowledgements
The authors thank Lance Wiffen and staff at SeaBounty Mussels Pty Ltd for transport to the mussel farms and the supply of mussels and materials. They also thank staff at the Victorian Marine Science Consortium and the Collaborative Shellfish Research Facility and Hatchery (Department of Primary Industries, Queenscliff) for the use of their facilities. The project was funded by the Fisheries Research and Development Corporation (FRDC) (project no: 2012/202).