Growth and Production of Raft Cultivated Mediterranean Mussel (Mytilus galloprovincialis Lamarck, 1819) in Sinop, Black Sea

Mussel culture was practiced in the raft system in Sinop area Black Sea, from May 2005 to May 2006. One-year old rope grown mussel with a mean length of 40.28 +/- 0.51 mm and a mean live weight of 6.06 +/- 0.20 g were stocked in nylon socks, and suspended from the raft system. Effects of environmental factors including temperature, salinity, chlorophyll a, seston, particulate inorganic matter and particulate organic matter on some growth parameters were monitored during the experimental period. At the end of the experimental period, the mean mussel shell length was 58.86 +/- 2.81 mm, while mean live weigth was 18.53 +/- 2.25 g. The growth rate was low during the winter and resumed in March. The monthly distribution of meat yield changed between 16.23 and 23.93% with a mean of 20.55 +/- 0.78%. The minimum and maximum meat yield were in April and July, respectively. There was a positive correlation between meat yield and particulate organic matter (P < 0.05). The highest value of Specific Growth Rate (SGR) was in the first four months when the mussels Were smaller size and food availability was higher. The final production was 7.97 +/- 0.18 kg per meter of rope. In the light of these results, mussel culture in the raft system was discussed.