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Large-Scale Culture Methods For Blue Mussels In Maine And The Northeast: Experimental Laboratory And Field Trials
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2020
[PDF-3.97 MB]
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Description:Several trials were conducted in 2018 to test the viability of preserving mussel gametes, embryos and larvae for future use. DEI staff and collaborator Mr. Chris Maloney (Aqualine, LLC; Providence, RI) used several different types of cryo-preservatives and methods for preserving early stage mussels. Specifically, the study evaluated the effects of several cyroprotectants and their concentrations, loading and unloading strategies, as well as freezing and thawing method to develop a protocol for cryopreserving gametes and early larval stages (trocophores). We followed published guidelines that have been successful with other species of mussels (Wang et al., 2011; Paredes et al., 2012), but none of the methods produced viable gametes, embryos or larvae after being placed in suspended animation. Objective #1: To evaluate the toxicity of cryoprotectants on sperm, eggs, and trochophore larvae from naturally- and artificially-conditioned mussel broodstock. Objective #2: To compare the efficacy of different ropes used for settling larvae in the hatchery at the Downeast Institute versus a new material called "spat tape." Objective #3: To examine the efficacy of hatchery production methods by testing the long-term viability of mussel spat from two origins: a) broodstock that are naturallyconditioned and reared directly and, b) broodstock that are naturally-conditioned, but larvae are cryopreserved.Question #3: Which hatchery production method results in the lowest drop-off rate and/or fastest growth rate of blue mussel spat at the farm sites? Since we were unable to produce viable larvae that had been cryopreserved, our tests were conducted on mussel spat from naturally-conditioned broodstock. Objective #4: To determine if differences exist in growth and retention rates of juveniles among settlement substrates, and whether drop-off rates for a given settlement substrate vary among the three farm sites. Question #4: Which settlement substrate results in the lowest drop-off rate and/or fastest growth rate of blue mussel spat at the farm sites? Objective #5: To determine whether working mussel farms would benefit from multiple cohorts of cultured seed in a single year. Objective #6: To determine the effectiveness of remote vs. traditional setting methods to decrease costs associated with production of cultured mussel seed. Objective #7: To develop a formal educational curriculum for mussel farmers to use to increase commercial production of farmed mussels.
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Sea Grant Document Number:MEU-T-20-002
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Rights Information:Public Domain
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