ISSN:
1573-5117
Keywords:
Chondrus crispus
;
harvest method
;
Irish moss
;
net primary productivity
;
outplants
;
seaweed
;
wild harvest
Source:
Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
Topics:
Biology
Notes:
Abstract Western Prince Edward Island Irish moss (Chondrus crispus) has been intensively dragraked since 1966. As well, most unattached fronds removed by wave surge, ice, etc. are brought to shore by waves and currents, where they are harvested eagerly. Accurate annual fishing yields were recorded between 1966 and 1981 inclusive. Given that herbivore densities are reduced, likely due to the intensive raking, and that mean annual bycatch (non-Irish moss seaweeds) (23.4 %) and commercial bed sizes (873 ha) were known, the fishing yields thus were considered a unique database from which to calculate net primary production (NPP). Factors used to convert from wet to dry wt (DW), and from dry wt to carbon were 0.22 an 0.31, respectively. Calculated mean annual NPP values were as follows: 2.101 ± 0.654 t (DW) ha−1 y−1; 210.1 g DW m−2 yr−1 and 63.0 g C m−2 yr−1. These values are much lower than those calculated for northwest Atlantic kelp and rockweed but similar to that determined for northeast Atlantic Gracilaria verrucosa. The interannual variability pattern for NPP was similar for both the wild Irish moss harvest and that of experimental Chondrus crispus outplants placed in one of the 14 commercial beds.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/BF00040251
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