Reproduction of the anadara, Scapharca broughtoni (Bivalvia, Arcidae), in the Peter the Great Bay (the Sea of Japan)

The reproduction of the anadara, Scapharca broughtoni, was investigated on natural and artificial substrates in the Peter the Great Bay (the Sea of Japan) for the first time. The research showed that the artificial reproduction was the only way of conserving its population. The dynamics of the gonadal index of adults and larva abundance in plankton were studied for the elaboration of technology for anadara cultivation. Temperature and salinity of water were measured simultaneously with the main studies. Larvae from plankton were collected from artificial substrates arranged at several stations in the Great Bay (the Sea of Japan) in 1977-2003. In the areas of water with the abundance of producers close to their maximal aggregations, the industrial collection of the valuable mollusc larvae is possible. The optimal artificial substrate is kapron cords fouling with the hydroid Bougainvillia ramosa.