Determination of the origin of sea scallop (Placopecten magellanicus) spat used in culture operations in the Magdalen Islands using genetic and metabolic indices

Description

The sea scallop (Placopecten magellanicus) is a very important fisheries and aquaculture species. The development potential of the scallop culture industry based on the harvesting of natural sea scallop stocks is limited, however, by the status of some stocks. The best approaches for revitalizing the scallop culture industry and ensuring its growth are suspended culture and bottom seeding of scallops in areas in the Magdalen Islands that have been disturbed by fishing practices. However, the two operations depend largely on spat collection in the natural environment. It is therefore very important for the development of these activities to secure the supply of spat.

The primary objective of this project is to determine the source of spat collected in the Magdalen Islands by comparing the characteristics of the spat genetic and metabolic signatures with those of specimens from various sea scallop beds likely to contribute to the spat population. A secondary objective is to assess whether there are genetic differences between the sea scallop beds found throughout the Gulf of St. Lawrence in order to be able to more effectively manage transfers of spat and spawners between the various farm sites and to more effectively characterize the risks associated with such transfers.

Program Name

Aquaculture Collaborative Research and Development Program (ACRDP)

Year(s)

2002 - 2005

Ecoregion(s)

Atlantic: Gulf of St. Lawrence, St. Lawrence Estuary

Principal Investigator(s)

Jean-Marie Sévigny
Email: Jean-marie.Sevigny@dfo-mpo.gc.ca