Effects of stocking density on the growth, meat yield, and survival of cultured Mytilus platensis in San Jorge gulf
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.47193/mafis.39420260011005Keywords:
mussel culture, Mytilus platensis, aquacultureAbstract
In Argentina, mussel farming is carried out on a very small scale in the southern Patagonian region. One of the most critical factors influencing mussel culture yield is the number of mussels seeded on socks, as this density has significant impact on growth and mortality. The objective of this study was to determine whether the stock density during the grow-out phase affects overall production performance in the farming of the mussel Mytilus platensis. A nine-month experimental culture socks at three densities (high: 600 mussels m-1; intermediate: 450 mussels m-1; and low: 300 mussels m-1) was conducted in San Jorge gulf at the southwestern Atlantic Ocean. Shell length, meat biomass, and survival were measured for each treatment every three months. Mussels stocked at the intermediate density showed growth rates equivalent to those of the high- and low-density groups, but achieved significantly higher survival rates, suggesting a higher harvest yield.
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