Ecosystem-based indicators as a tool for mussel culture management strategies

11 páginas, 1 apéndice, 6 tablas, 3 figuras

The present study seeks to establish industry management strategies based on ecosystem-based indicators in an intensive mussel culture area. Spatial differences in the environmental conditions and in the productivity of mussels cultured on hanging ropes were examined at five locations in Ría de Arousa (NW Spain). The environmental conditions of the ecosystem were described on basis of the next ecosystem-based indicators: hydrography (salinity, temperature and chlorophyll a), dynamics (current velocity) and food availability (FA). Mussel productivity was assessed by measuring the biomass per rope, total fresh weight, and length of cultured mussels. Mussel productivity was successfully modeled from empirical relationships with current velocity, chlorophyll a and culture density. Commercial production (in kg) was evaluated from biomass and translated into economic value taking into account mussel commercial category. Finally, economic gross yield of each location was related with environmental conditions and culture densities by means of empirical relationships

This study was supported by contract projects PETRI-0026 and PETRI-0318 with the Organización de Productores de Mejillón de Galicia (OPMAR), and Consello do Mexillón de Galicia. Additional funds were provided by project CSIC PIE 201030E071. V. Vinseiro was funded by contract CSIC-I3P-JAE Tech 2011, financed by the European Social Fund. This paper is a submission of the “Unidad Asociada CSIC-IEO de Moluscos Bivalvos”

Peer reviewed