• Journal of Aquaculture
• /
• v.14 no.3
• /
• pp.181-195
• /
• 2001

To stabilize the lantern cage culture system of Patinopecten yessoensis(Jay) in the eastern coast of Korean peninsula, optimum conditions such as time of transplantation, rearing density and depth, and time of harvest were identified. During the period from January 1991 to December 1998, the water temperature ranged from 4.7 to 21.4$^{\circ}C$ at 15-30 m depth and 4.9 to 25.7$^{\circ}C$ at the surface; these thermal ranges were within the optimal ranges (5-23$^{\circ}C$) prevailing at 15-30 m depth at surface water. Annual thermal changes indicated that the prevailing temperature during the years 1993 and 1996 was near optimum, but higher during the years 1994, 1997 and 1998, when mass mortality and growth retardation occurred. Salinity (32.0- 34.4$\textperthousand$) and dissolved oxygen (4.14 -8.11 $\mu\textrm{g}$/l) at 15 m depth were well within the optimum ranges. The chlorophyll concentrations (0.06 - 2.73$\mu\textrm{g}$/l) indicated that the study area was oligotrophic, although mass mortality did occur, when chlorophyll concentrations were high, especially in summer. Hence water temperatures and chlorophyll concentration are major factors related to survival and growth of the scallop. In terms of the shell height maximum growth occurred during spring (March-May; 8 - l3$^{\circ}C$) and fall (October-December; 11-l7$^{\circ}C$) in the lantern cage culture. Slow growth was recorded during late winter January-february; less than 7$^{\circ}C$) and mid-summer (August- September; more than 18$^{\circ}C$). Daily growth of shell height and total weight were 0.02∼0.24 mm and -0.07∼0.90 g at the rearing density of 12 individuals per net. Optimal .earing density in the lantern cage (ø50${\times}$20 cm) was 10∼15 individuals with the shell height of 5∼6 cm. The fastest growth rates were observed at 15∼20 m depth; however, it is recommended that 20∼30 m would be optimal. The scallops require 22 months to attain the commercial size of 10 cm shell height and 140 g total weigh, and are best harvested and sold during March-April.