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ScienceAsia 32 Supplement 1 (2006): 087-097 |doi: 10.2306/scienceasia1513-1874.2006.32(s1).087
Fouling of Mussel (Mytilus edulis) Collectors by
Algal Mats, Dynamics, Impacts and
Symptomatic Treatment in P.E.I. Canada
Glyn J. Sharp,a* Neil MacNair,b Ellen Campbell,a Alyssa Butters,a Aaron Ramsaya and Robert Semplea
ABSTRACT: Biofouling of spat collectors by green algal species on the Mytilus edulis (blue mussel) farms of
Prince Edward Island in eastern Canada has been a problem for over 6 years. This problem is a symptom of
increasing eutrophication in the bays and estuaries of the Maritimes. The fouling consists of primarily
Cladophora sp. and Enteromorpha sp. that develop rapidly during June and August. Biomass doubles 2 to 4
times per week forming extensive algal mats that accumulate on all parts of the aquaculture equipment.
Mussel spat settling at the same time either do not attach to the collectors or become attached to algal
filaments. To deal with this problem several environmentally safe chemicals were tested in the laboratory for
their toxicity to Cladophora sp. and to mussel spat. A concentrated brine solution had little or no effect on
survivorship of mussel spat while causing death of Cladophora sp. cells by osmotic stress. This treatment was
effective reducing fouling in field trials on commercial farms when used 2 to 3 times over two months. This
information was quickly applied by the industry and the result was spat volume yields of over 6000 ml per
treated collector versus less than 1000 per untreated collector.
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a Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Bedford Institute of Oceanography, Dartmouth, N.S. Canada.
b Prince Edward Island, Department of Agriculture and Fisheries, Charlottetown, P.E.I. Canada.
* Corresponding author, E-mail: SharpG@mar.dfo-mpo.gc.ca
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