Studing of mediterrian mussıl's (Mytilus galloprovincialis, Lam., 1819) culture potential in the East Black Sea: Spat settlement and growth characteristics

SUMMARY Studing of Mediterrian Mussel's (Mytilns galloprovincialis. Lam., 1819) Culture Potential in The East Black Sea: Spat Settlement and Growth Characteristics In the presented study, the time for settlement to rope collector, density, growth and culture possibility (in a long- line mussel system) of Mytilus gaUoprovincialis the East Black Sea have been determined at two sites (Şana and Rize). The growth of the mussels, water temperature, seston, sechi disc depth and chlorophyll -a have been measured from May 2003 to April 2004 monthly. Two different spat collectors (Polypropylene, Cotton) hung on long- line mussel systems in April 2003. The spat settlement at each sites has been observed in May and mean value of spat length was determined as 0.07 ±0.003 mm at Şana, 0.09 ±0.004 mm at Rize. According to settlement density, any significant difference between sites and collectors was not found. It was observed that propylene collectors were more efficient than cotton collectors at sea conditions. At the end of the study (Nisan 2004), shell length of mussels reached 40.39 ±1.184 mm at Şana. 46.20 ±0.547 mm at Rize while individual weight reached 6.02 ±0.466 g at Şana, 8.92 ±0.282 g at Rize. There is a strong relationship between length and weight (b = 2,5306-3. 1 1 84; r = 0.8776 - 0.9935 ). Biochemical composition and condition indices of spats on collector were determined in November and March. Moisture The values of. protein, lipid and ash calculated for dry meat are 86.54-81.57 %, 69.51-44.93 %, 6.92-6.51 % and 16.66-12.83 %. respectively. The efficiency of wet meat determined in November and March were 24,94 % and 30.55 %, respectively. Our results showed that enough seed could be collected for mussel culture, but spats must be stripped in 1-2 months after settlement and that mussels would be market size in 1+ years. Keywords: Mussel, Mytilus gaUoprovincialis, Black Sea, Artificial collector, Aquaculture, Spat settlement, Growth VII