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Mussel culture and harvest: A North American perspective
379
At US $8 (from the Communications Program, Maryland Sea Grant Program, University of Maryland, College Park, MD 20742, USA) for the 3700 oyster citations, or about 50 cents a bushel, this is excellent value for money, particularly for the more recent culturist or scientist trying to catch up on a hundred years of intensive international effort with a diversity of oyster species. C.E. NASH (Seattle, WA, U.S.A.) REFERENCE Joyce, E.A., 1972. A partial bibliography of oysters, with annotations. Special Scientific Report No. 34, Marine Research Laboratory, Florida Department of Natural Resources, St. Petersburg, Florida. Published by State of Florida, Department of Natural Resources, 846 pp. MUSSEL FARMING
Mussel Culture and Harvest: a North American Perspective. Richard Lutz (Editor). Elsevier Scientific Publishing Company, Amsterdam, 1980, 350 pp., US $65.75/Dfl 135.00, ISBN 0-444-41866-O. There is a coherent and objective pattern in this volume. The contributors, besides presenting facts, are concerned with evaluating Europe’s experience with mussels and improving North America’s future mussel production. All 17 contributors are based in the U.S.A. and ten of them are in Maine, which is the largest producer of mussels in North America. Much of the funding for the research reviewed in this volume was provided by the Sea Grant Office of N.O.A.A. (National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration). Cooked blue mussels of the Mytilus edulis group are an excellent, wholesome seafood but unfortunately surveillance programmes are necessary to prevent consumers receiving mussels containing worthless little pearls or dinoflagellate toxins. The former merely create annoyance during mastication, but the latter can produce PSP (paralytic shellfish poisoning), which in 1,650 recorded medical cases has resulted in at least 300 fatalities. Undeterred by such trivialities the world’s population continues to increase its consumption of blue mussels. Production is centred in Europe and the main producers are The Netherlands, France and Spain. The last two countries operate labour intensive aquaculture systems instead of simply harvesting natural stocks. World production of blue mussels probably approximates 300,000 metric tons including 8,000 tons from the U.S.A. The U.S.A. mussel industry rose to a peak of 3.1 million pounds (wet weight) in 1942 and remained there until 1947. There was no difficulty in selling the products; fresh and canned mussels were popular during the war years because they were not rationed. Canned mussels were also exported to Europe to help feed troops and later civilians. In the post war years
380
production declined rapidly because the canning operations had almost exhausted natural stocks and because there was keen competition from more desirable proteins which were no longer rationed. This rather uneventful period lasted from 1948 to 1964, but a slow build-up then commenced which also climaxed at 3.1 million pounds in 1978. Amongst the main points raised by Dr. Lutz and his colleagues are (1) although the MSY (maximum sustainable yield) for the U.S.A. industry is not known, the natural crop dropped drastically after only 4 years high yields during the war years. It is therefore essential to orientate future production along aquaculture lines and not rely on the harvesting of natural stocks. Long range research and protection from overseas competition will be essential for the infant industry; (2) the labour intensive harvesting methods (hand picking, raking, dredging) will be phased out as more sophisticated suspended culture, using longlines and rafts, comes in. Washing, grading, debearding and rope stripping devices will be introduced; (3) amongst the advantages gained by the suspended culture of mussels are higher yields, better meats, more attractive shells and less dead, mudfilled shells; (4) it is essential that research continues on the factors responsible for the dinoflagellate blooms that initiate paralytic shellfish poisoning and that the monitoring programmes continue; (5) curiously, sea ducks (several species of eiders and scoters) are a major biological problem; they can strip practically all the culture ropes, particularly if the young mussels are less than 25 mm long. Considerable research may be required to produce a deterrent scheme; (6) there are also difficulties in obtaining loans for mussel farming, which is a high risk business. Government guarantee financing and disaster insurance schemes are suggested; (7) there are also problems with transferring mussel seed from one area to another (a l-week instead of the current &week delay is suggested) and some relaxation of permit granting is requested; (8) there is also a need for more friendly relationships between mussel farmers and other users of the waterways; and (9) a need for a system for evaluating the carrying capacity of growing areas. The scope of the volume is extensive and encompasses Dr. Lutz’s summary type introduction, a history of U.S.A. culture methods, natural stocks, application of European methods to North American waters, East and West Coast mussel culture systems, heated effluent culture, pearl incidence, biotoxins, storage ,and processing, evolution of a mussel farm and economics. Chapter 11 by Edward A. Myers is an unusual and light hearted account of a serious attempt at mussel farming. All prospective and established mussel farms should read and digest it. The closing sentences of the book by economist James A. Clifton are appropriate. After discussing the economic aspects of mussel farming he writes “Generally the analysis m,ust stand as a sobering statement to those who believe aquaculture promises high economic returns in the short-run with little risk. Mussel aquaculture in the United States is a possibility just over the horizon. It is a business opportunity which, given time, should generate a fair rate of return and add a delectable item to the range of
381
seafoods in the country. It is not an opportunity to become a millionaire overnight”. popular
BAUGHAN
WISELY
(Salamander Bay, N.S. W., Australia) CULTIVATION
METHODOLOGY
FOR THE GREY
MULLET
Breeding and Propagation Techniques for Grey Mullet, Mugil cephalus L. C.E. Nash and Z.H. Shehadeh (Editors). Int. Center for Living Aquatic Resources Mgt., ICLARM Studies and Reviews 3, Manila, Philippines, 1980, vii + 87 pp., US $9.00 (airmail), US $ 5.00 (surface mail). ISSN 0115-4389. This edited publication summarizes knowledge gained over the past 20 years on grey mullet culture. The publication is both a review of literature and a manual of cultivation methodology, particularly for Mugil cephalus, but which includes information on other mullet species. One objective of the publication is to aid development of pilot-scale hatchery operations which eventually could lead the way to successful production facilities. The publication is divided into six chapters. The first three chapters are reviews of mullet culture, reproductive biology and aspects of early life biology. Chapter 1, ‘Introduction’, is a brief summary of mullet taxonomy, occurrence and distribution. Chapter 2, ‘History of Mullet Culture’, is a fair but brief overview of the history of mullet culture around the world. It ends with a plea to make mullet and other finfish culture free of the need to utilize wild fry through perfection of artificial propagation techniques. Chapter 3, ‘Review of Natural Spawning and Induced Breeding’, summarizes a vast amount of literature on factors that control reproduction in wild stocks and also methods to induce maturation, spawn fish and rear larvae under culture conditions. It will be apparent to readers that a good deal of mullet breeding and culture methodology is still art rather than science, but that culture success is possible using existing methods. The last three chapters: (4) ‘Hatchery Techniques’, (5) ‘Hatchery Design’ and (6) ‘Speculation for the Future’, constitute a culture manual rather than a review of methods. These chapters give details of methods developed at the Oceanic Institute in Hawaii and provide some guidelines to develop both pilot-scale and production-scale mullet hatcheries. The hatchery techniques and designs also may be of interest to those involved in culture programs for fishes other than mullet. We did not always agree with conclusions made in the publication on factors that regulate spawning of mullet or which are critical to successful spawning and culture of larvae. The editors stress the importance of salinity in the range 32-35°/oo as a key element for successful maturation and spawning, yet photoperiod may play a more important role, based on the reviewed evidence that they have presented in text. We also noted that some important literature either was not cited or that relatively obscure reports
At US $8 (from the Communications Program, Maryland Sea Grant Program, University of Maryland, College Park, MD 20742, USA) for the 3700 oyster citations, or about 50 cents a bushel, this is excellent value for money, particularly for the more recent culturist or scientist trying to catch up on a hundred years of intensive international effort with a diversity of oyster species. C.E. NASH (Seattle, WA, U.S.A.) REFERENCE Joyce, E.A., 1972. A partial bibliography of oysters, with annotations. Special Scientific Report No. 34, Marine Research Laboratory, Florida Department of Natural Resources, St. Petersburg, Florida. Published by State of Florida, Department of Natural Resources, 846 pp. MUSSEL FARMING
Mussel Culture and Harvest: a North American Perspective. Richard Lutz (Editor). Elsevier Scientific Publishing Company, Amsterdam, 1980, 350 pp., US $65.75/Dfl 135.00, ISBN 0-444-41866-O. There is a coherent and objective pattern in this volume. The contributors, besides presenting facts, are concerned with evaluating Europe’s experience with mussels and improving North America’s future mussel production. All 17 contributors are based in the U.S.A. and ten of them are in Maine, which is the largest producer of mussels in North America. Much of the funding for the research reviewed in this volume was provided by the Sea Grant Office of N.O.A.A. (National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration). Cooked blue mussels of the Mytilus edulis group are an excellent, wholesome seafood but unfortunately surveillance programmes are necessary to prevent consumers receiving mussels containing worthless little pearls or dinoflagellate toxins. The former merely create annoyance during mastication, but the latter can produce PSP (paralytic shellfish poisoning), which in 1,650 recorded medical cases has resulted in at least 300 fatalities. Undeterred by such trivialities the world’s population continues to increase its consumption of blue mussels. Production is centred in Europe and the main producers are The Netherlands, France and Spain. The last two countries operate labour intensive aquaculture systems instead of simply harvesting natural stocks. World production of blue mussels probably approximates 300,000 metric tons including 8,000 tons from the U.S.A. The U.S.A. mussel industry rose to a peak of 3.1 million pounds (wet weight) in 1942 and remained there until 1947. There was no difficulty in selling the products; fresh and canned mussels were popular during the war years because they were not rationed. Canned mussels were also exported to Europe to help feed troops and later civilians. In the post war years
380
production declined rapidly because the canning operations had almost exhausted natural stocks and because there was keen competition from more desirable proteins which were no longer rationed. This rather uneventful period lasted from 1948 to 1964, but a slow build-up then commenced which also climaxed at 3.1 million pounds in 1978. Amongst the main points raised by Dr. Lutz and his colleagues are (1) although the MSY (maximum sustainable yield) for the U.S.A. industry is not known, the natural crop dropped drastically after only 4 years high yields during the war years. It is therefore essential to orientate future production along aquaculture lines and not rely on the harvesting of natural stocks. Long range research and protection from overseas competition will be essential for the infant industry; (2) the labour intensive harvesting methods (hand picking, raking, dredging) will be phased out as more sophisticated suspended culture, using longlines and rafts, comes in. Washing, grading, debearding and rope stripping devices will be introduced; (3) amongst the advantages gained by the suspended culture of mussels are higher yields, better meats, more attractive shells and less dead, mudfilled shells; (4) it is essential that research continues on the factors responsible for the dinoflagellate blooms that initiate paralytic shellfish poisoning and that the monitoring programmes continue; (5) curiously, sea ducks (several species of eiders and scoters) are a major biological problem; they can strip practically all the culture ropes, particularly if the young mussels are less than 25 mm long. Considerable research may be required to produce a deterrent scheme; (6) there are also difficulties in obtaining loans for mussel farming, which is a high risk business. Government guarantee financing and disaster insurance schemes are suggested; (7) there are also problems with transferring mussel seed from one area to another (a l-week instead of the current &week delay is suggested) and some relaxation of permit granting is requested; (8) there is also a need for more friendly relationships between mussel farmers and other users of the waterways; and (9) a need for a system for evaluating the carrying capacity of growing areas. The scope of the volume is extensive and encompasses Dr. Lutz’s summary type introduction, a history of U.S.A. culture methods, natural stocks, application of European methods to North American waters, East and West Coast mussel culture systems, heated effluent culture, pearl incidence, biotoxins, storage ,and processing, evolution of a mussel farm and economics. Chapter 11 by Edward A. Myers is an unusual and light hearted account of a serious attempt at mussel farming. All prospective and established mussel farms should read and digest it. The closing sentences of the book by economist James A. Clifton are appropriate. After discussing the economic aspects of mussel farming he writes “Generally the analysis m,ust stand as a sobering statement to those who believe aquaculture promises high economic returns in the short-run with little risk. Mussel aquaculture in the United States is a possibility just over the horizon. It is a business opportunity which, given time, should generate a fair rate of return and add a delectable item to the range of
381
seafoods in the country. It is not an opportunity to become a millionaire overnight”. popular
BAUGHAN
WISELY
(Salamander Bay, N.S. W., Australia) CULTIVATION
METHODOLOGY
FOR THE GREY
MULLET
Breeding and Propagation Techniques for Grey Mullet, Mugil cephalus L. C.E. Nash and Z.H. Shehadeh (Editors). Int. Center for Living Aquatic Resources Mgt., ICLARM Studies and Reviews 3, Manila, Philippines, 1980, vii + 87 pp., US $9.00 (airmail), US $ 5.00 (surface mail). ISSN 0115-4389. This edited publication summarizes knowledge gained over the past 20 years on grey mullet culture. The publication is both a review of literature and a manual of cultivation methodology, particularly for Mugil cephalus, but which includes information on other mullet species. One objective of the publication is to aid development of pilot-scale hatchery operations which eventually could lead the way to successful production facilities. The publication is divided into six chapters. The first three chapters are reviews of mullet culture, reproductive biology and aspects of early life biology. Chapter 1, ‘Introduction’, is a brief summary of mullet taxonomy, occurrence and distribution. Chapter 2, ‘History of Mullet Culture’, is a fair but brief overview of the history of mullet culture around the world. It ends with a plea to make mullet and other finfish culture free of the need to utilize wild fry through perfection of artificial propagation techniques. Chapter 3, ‘Review of Natural Spawning and Induced Breeding’, summarizes a vast amount of literature on factors that control reproduction in wild stocks and also methods to induce maturation, spawn fish and rear larvae under culture conditions. It will be apparent to readers that a good deal of mullet breeding and culture methodology is still art rather than science, but that culture success is possible using existing methods. The last three chapters: (4) ‘Hatchery Techniques’, (5) ‘Hatchery Design’ and (6) ‘Speculation for the Future’, constitute a culture manual rather than a review of methods. These chapters give details of methods developed at the Oceanic Institute in Hawaii and provide some guidelines to develop both pilot-scale and production-scale mullet hatcheries. The hatchery techniques and designs also may be of interest to those involved in culture programs for fishes other than mullet. We did not always agree with conclusions made in the publication on factors that regulate spawning of mullet or which are critical to successful spawning and culture of larvae. The editors stress the importance of salinity in the range 32-35°/oo as a key element for successful maturation and spawning, yet photoperiod may play a more important role, based on the reviewed evidence that they have presented in text. We also noted that some important literature either was not cited or that relatively obscure reports