Interspecific retention efficiency in three families of bivalves

Shellfish aquaculture production has been growing steadily for the past several decades, and is expected to continue to do so. Three groups of the most commonly cultivated shellfish are mussels, oysters, and scallops. This research is focused on how these three families of shellfish capture different sizes of particles (e.g. phytoplankton) for ingestion. It has been shown that different shellfish capture different sizes of particles with varying efficiencies. However, it is not known if this is due to the shape of the gill upon which particles are captured, pumping rates, or the environmental conditions. This experiment will measure the retention of particles of these three kinds of shellfish under the same conditions. This information is important input for farm management such as carrying capacity (e.g. the number of individuals an environment can support).

Faculty Supervisor:

Ramon Filgueira

Student:

Partner:

University of Bergen

Discipline:

Life Sciences

Sector:

Aquaculture and Fishing; Sustainability & the Environment; Life Sciences (not health)

University:

Dalhousie University

Program: