Aquaculture cage biofouling in the gulf of maine: How does the bluemussel (Mytilus edulis) out-muscle other species?

摘要

Biofouling on naturally occurring hard substrates in the Gulf of Maine has been well documented, and a variety of biotic interactions as well as physical factors have been found to influence settlement and successional patterns. The present study differed from all previous research in the region by focusing on large, offshore fish cages suspended above the seabed. The overall goal was to characterize development of fouling communities, while providing information for engineers and project managers. Biofouling, especially by heavier organisms like molluscs, adds weight and drag to fish cages, thereby reducing water flow and affecting its behavior in rough seas and high currents. Experimental panels were deployed at a depth of similar to 15 meters over four different time intervals, in replicates of four, over the course of one year. One set of panels was deployed for a full year, two sets for 6-months (beginning at different seasons), and four sets of 3-month (seasonal) panels. Each panel was constructed of a 10 x 10 cm piece of knotless nylon netting attached to a PVC frame. The fouling community that developed diverged from the pattern previously described for shallow water benthos, mainly because of the dominance of the blue mussel, Mytilus edulis, in nearly all seral stages as well as the climax (1-year) fouling community. Factors probably influencing this dominance included limited predator abundance, optimal growth conditions, and high reproductive rates.