(Preliminar study on the period of captation of Young mussels (Perna perna, Linnaeus, 1758) on artificial collectors in the Ubatuba region, São Paulo State, Brazil)

Abstract

The most favorable periods of the year to cast artificial collectors aiming the captation of young mussels for cultivation were determined in the region of Ubatuba (São Paulo State, Brazil). This study was carried out at three stations (Prainha, Cais do Porto e Saco da Ribeira) from September, 1978 to December, 1979, utilizing bamboo rafts as collectors, being the capitation density determined as the number of young mussels per 1000 cm² of substrate in each station. The periods of settlement peaks occurrence at the three sites were similar, and the best months for casting collectors, and the respective capitation density observed, were: a) Prainha: September/1978 (366) and September/1979 (93); b) Cais do Porto: October/1978 (1361), December/1978 (445) and September/1979 (177); and c) Saco da Ribeira: October/1978 (1581), September/1978 (363) and June/1979 (155). Regarding to the capitation density, no significant differences between the stations were observed; it is known that mussel spawning is conditioned to diverse environmental and climatic factors, showing, therefore, no inflexible rule by year. So, the period from September to December (whole spring), may be appointed as the best for casting young mussel collectors in the studied region.