| The effect of thinning on the harvestable biomass of mussel Mytilus platensis (d'Orb.) cultures was analyzed. Mussels were grown on ropes in sub-surface long-lines in Golfo Nuevo (Chubut, Argentina, 64° 59' W; 42°46' S) during a 15 month period (January 1987-April 1988). Ropes were seeded using the Spanish method with 2,000 individuals per rope meter. The thinning-out was performed three months later using the following thinning ratios (TR: number of half-grown ropes obtained from one seed rope):1,6 (900 individuals m super(-1)), 2,4 (600 individuals m super(-1)) and 3,2 (450 individuals m super(-1)). Growth rate (shell length and meat weight), survival and number of harvestable ropes increase with the thinning rate; the harvestable biomass being larger at... |
