Preliminar observations on the experimental musses culture at the Ubatuba region (23º 32” S e 45º 04” W), São Paulo State, Brazil

Abstract

The viability of mussel culture at Enseada das Palmas, Anchieta Island (23°32'S and 45°04'W) (Ubatuba, SP, Brazil), was tested. Sixteen ropes of 4 meters of length were analyzed. The ropes were seeded through the French system, with 1.5 kg/m of density, and the mussel spats (seeds) were obtained from natural beds, with 20-40 mm of length. Eight ropes were removed after 9 months of permanence in water, and other eight were removed after 10 months. The live crop weight (kg of marketable size mussel/m) and the final mean length were respectively: 7.2 kg/m and 57.0 mm for the 9 mo. ropes and 6.1 kg/m and 58.5 mm for the 10 mo. ropes. The results were considered satisfactory, when compared with results obtained in other countries. Significant differences were not observed between the live crop weight of the ropes maintained in the water for 9 or 10 months. Along the rope, the animals of the superior meter showed significant differences in the growth, in comparison with mussels seeded 3 and 4 meters deep.