| one publication added to basket [4813] | A study of the reproductive periodicities and population dynamics of some New South Wales sea urchins with a view to open-sea culture
O'Connor, C. (1976). A study of the reproductive periodicities and population dynamics of some New South Wales sea urchins with a view to open-sea culture, in: Persoone, G. et al. (Ed.) Proceedings of the 10th European Symposium on Marine Biology, Ostend, Belgium, Sept. 17-23, 1975: 1. Research in mariculture at laboratory- and pilot scale. pp. 285-301
In: Persoone, G.; Jaspers, E. (Ed.) (1976). Proceedings of the 10th European Symposium on Marine Biology, Ostend, Belgium, Sept. 17-23, 1975: 1. Research in mariculture at laboratory- and pilot scale. IZWO: Wetteren. ISBN 90-6281-001-2. 620 pp., more
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Document type: Conference paper
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| Abstract |
With the price of sea urchin roe above A$27.00/kg, the aquaculture of echinoids is being investigated. Although in general, pond culture eliminates the high costs of marine harvesting and also ensures that the cultured species remains within known boundaries, both the methods of harvesting and the behaviour of sea urchins make these positive aspects of pond culture irrelevant. Moreover, since pond culture involves high running costs and poor or expensive water quality control, the thrust of this sea urchin aquacultural project has been away from pond culture and towards open sea and estuarine benthic management. This paper centers on both the reproductive periodicity (since it is the gonad which is marketed) and population dynamics of four species. The gonad index of C. rodgersii peaked in June-July, that of H. tuberculata in January, that of P. parvispinus in February, and T. gratilla in January allowing a summer to spring harvesting period. Population density and animal size fluctuations were related to reproductive synchrony, and although fluctuations in photoperiod, salinity and sea temperature were noted, the accumulation of nutrients may perhaps be indirectly associated with sea temperatures and photoperiod. The importance of ocean currents and the carrying capacity of the area are also discussed in the light of possibly increased productivity via waste water treatment plant effluent. |
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