Growth and Survival of Pinctada margaritifera Mother of Pearl Oyster Cocultured with Kappaphycus alvarezii Seaweeds

Abstract

This study investigated the effect of co-culturing Pinctada margaritifera pearl oysters with Kappaphycus alvarezii on the biomass of fouling organisms on pearl oysters. The experiment also investigated the effect of reduced fouling due to co-culture on the growth rate of Pinctada margaritifera pearl oysters. The experiment had a treatment and control. Both treatment and control had 5 panel nets with 21 oysters. The result indicated that co-cultured oysters had significantly higher growth rates than the monoculture oysters. The results also showed that the co-cultured Pinctada margaritifera oysters had less fouling organisms attached to it when compared to monoculture oysters.