Mussel seed collection and production

Abstract

All leading mussel farming countries in the world producing annually 330000 tons (weight in the shell) of mussels depend on natural seed resources to meet their requ- ir ement of seed, whether it is for bottom culture (Netherlands), bauchot culture (France), raft culture (Spain), rack culture (Italy) or submerged pole culture (Phillippines). Hatchery system of mass seed production, therefore, has not become necessary unlike in the culture of other edible molluscs like oysters , clams a nd abalones wher in suitable techniques are employed by the industry.