Growth and mortality of cultured bay scallops in the Damariscotta River, Maine (USA)

• Published in: Aquaculture international Vol. 5; no. 5; pp. 451 - 460
• Main Authors: Barber, B.J, Davis, C.V
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Dordrecht Springer Nature B.V 01-09-1997
• Subjects: Aquaculture; Argopecten irradians; Brackish; evaluation; Freshwater; Growing season; growth; growth rate; height; life cycle (organisms); Marine; mollusc culture; Mortality; nets; Restaurants; Rivers; seasonal variation; shells; Water temperature; Winter; Maine; USA, Maine, Damariscotta; ANW, USA, Maine
• ISSN: 0967-6120; 1573-143X
• DOI: 10.1023/A:1018388812866

Growth and mortality of hatchery-reared bay scallops, Argopecten irradians, were determined over an 18 month period (July 1994-December 1995) at two locations in the Damariscotta River, Maine, north of its natural distribution. Growth occurred primarily between May and October when mean water temperature exceeded 10 °C. Final mean shell height (56.3 mm) was significantly greater (p ≤ 0.0005) at the upriver site than at the downriver site in association with a higher mean water temperature. Cumulative mortality (43-49%) over this period occurred primarily over the winter months, in conjunction with mean water temperatures below 5 °C. Although it is possible to rear bay scallops to commercial size in Maine, the short growing season, high winter mortality, and costs associated with over-wintering and fouling will likely deter commercial culture.[PUBLICATION ABSTRACT]