Spat collection, growth and meat yield of Pinna bicolor (Gmelin) in suspended culture in northern Australia

Five species within the Family Pinnidae were collected on spat collectors at Pioneer Bay, Orpheus Island, north Queensland, Australia. Pinna bicolor represented > 99% of recruits. Approximately 950 P. bicolor spat recruited to collectors during 12 months of study beginning in late summer (March) with recruitment showing a distinct pulse during March/April with mean (± S.E.) recruitment of 72 ± 7 spat per collector. There was no significant difference between the intensity of recruitment at depths of 2 and 6 m (P < 0.05). P. bicolor spat grew rapidly following removal from spat collectors and had a mean hinge length (HL) of over 150 mm after 1 year in suspended culture. Gonad development was evident within 12 months and a reduced growth rate at this time may be attributable to reproductive activity. After 80 weeks, mean (± S.E.) HL was 176.5 ± 3.9 mm with a mean (± S.E.) whole wet weight of 114.3 ± 17.5 g. Tissue wet weight was 27.5 ± 0.5% of whole wet weight and the wet weight of the posterior adductor muscle was 3.5 ± 0.1% of whole wet weight and 12.8 ± 0.3% of tissue wet weight.