A mitilicultura ou cultivo de mexilhões em corda, no litoral catarinense é desenvolvida em sistema intensivo de monocultivo semi-integral, não demandando investimentos em larvicultura e alimentação, utilizando áreas de elevada produtividade. Essa modalidade de cultivo apresenta excelente taxa de conversão alimentar e com rendimento por unidade de superfície superior ao de qualquer outra cultura em ambiente natural (MANSON 1976, ANDRÉU 1976.A elevada produtividade da mitilicultura, acrescida da possibilidade de adequar as técnicas de cultivo às características ambientais e sociais de cada local (MORALES 1983), contribuíram para o sucesso da atividade, alcançando em 1998 uma produção mundial de 1.688,855 toneladas de mexilhões (FAO 1998).No Brasil, a partir da década de 90, ocorreu um incremento abrupto no cultivo do mexilhão Perna perna (Linnaeus, 1758), atingindo uma produção na ordem de 12.500 toneladas em 2000, elevando o país ao segundo lugar na América-Latina. Com destaque para o Estado de Santa Catarina, que devido as condições sociais e ambientais favoráveis, responde por aproximadamente 95% da produção nacional, tendo o Município de Penha como o maior produtor nacional com 3.500 toneladas (CARVALHO FILHO 2001).Este trabalho tem como objetivo caracterizar o desenvolvimento de Perna perna em função de variáveis ambientais, macronutrientes, índice de condição e a sobrevivência em um cultivo comercial, na Armação do Itapocoroy, Penha, Santa Catarina. MATERIAL E MÉTODOSAs amostragens foram realizadas bimestralmente entre dezembro de 1996 e novembro de 1997, na Armação do Itapocoroy (26 º 58'S e 48 º 35'W). A área encontra-se geograficamente protegida dos ventos mais intensos do quadrante sul, e exposta aos do quadrante norte de menor intensidade, o que reflete na constituição areno-lodosa do sedimento de fundo, característico de área de moderada ação hidrodinâmica.Na caracterização física e química da água no local do cultivo, foram registradas bimestralmente, a temperatura, salinidade, transparência da água com disco de Secchi, bem como, coletadas amostras bimestrais da água para determinar a concentração de oxigênio dissolvido utilizando o método de Winkler, e os teores dos macronutrientes (fosfato, nitrito, nitrato e amônio) por espectrofotometria, além do seston (total, orgânico e inorgânico). (Linnaeus, 1758), in the south of Brazil, two experiences had been executed in the Armação do Itapocoroy. The averages of the salinity, temperature and the oxygen had shown ideals for this species and the macronutrients are inside of the natural levels for coast areas, not indicate organic pollution in the place. The average growth was of 0,58 cm/month and the increase of the weight was of 2.57 g/month. Curves of growth and fattening had been elaborated having for result the greater biological production after 6.7 months of culture. The survival after eight months was 79.2% and the most raised values of the gonad-somatic index were detected in the spring. KEY WORDS. Crustacea, culture of mussel, curve of growth.RESU...

This work aims to test growth methodology and to evaluate cultivation potential of the red algae Hypnea musciformis (carragenophyte), Gracilaria cervicornis (cf.) and Gracilaria caudata, (agarophytes). In vitro growth was tested for the three algae, and in situ growth was tested for Gracilaria cervicornis (cf.). Preliminary results indicate high growth rates to in situ and in vitro tests, when compared to literature results. Gracilaria cervicornis (cf.) in vitro growth rates ranged from 1,8 to 5,7 % day-1 , and in situ growth rates ranged from 2,3 to 8,7 % day-1. Gracilaria caudata presented lower growth rates, which ranged from 0,8 and 4,9 % day-1. Hypnea musciformis presented highest growth rates, which ranged from 5,6 and 15,2 % day-1. This results are preliminary. For a good evaluation of productive and cultivation potencial of this algae, complementary tests are needed. However, observed growth rates suggest this algae deserves more research aiming to implement its cultivation on Enseada de Armação do Itapocoroy (Penha, SC).

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The aim of this study was to evaluate oyster seed settlement pattern in artificial collectors affixed along Babitonga Bay (26°28’S í  48°50’W), Santa Catarina state, Brazil. Artificial collectors were installed in the upper tidal range (supralittoral), in the line of intermediate variation of the tide (mesolittoral), and below the limit region of the low tide (infralittoral). A total of 7,579 seeds were obtained over a year, presenting clear variations of quantities and species according to the seasons, depths and collection sites. Among the total number of seeds collected, 284 were submitted to molecular analyses for species identification, among which 5.63% belonged to Crassostrea gasar, 16.9% to C. rhizophorae, 0.35% to C. gigas, 24.29% of Ostrea sp. and 52.81% to C. talonata. Species identification through morphological analysis is difficult because of the inherent polymorphism of shells. Results demonstrate that artificial collectors present a higher performance for the settlement of oyster species inappropriate for farm cultivation (C. talonata and Ostrea sp.). Moreover, C. talonata is an exotic species from Indo-Pacific seas recently confirmed along Brazilian coasts, and it already possesses a high recruitment rate in the estuarine region. This raises environmental and commercial concerns about the maintenance of the natural oyster population in Babitonga Bay.

Cultivated mussels (Perna perna) were studied to test for the effects of cleaning on their growth. These effects were examined by experimentally cleaning mussels and by changing mussel density. Treatment was performed twice, at two and four months after immerging the ropes. Two months after the first treatment and three months after the second treatment, mussels were harvested and measured (weight, length, width and thickness). Analysis of variance showed that none of the treatments resulted in increased growth of the mussels, nor did increased density result in decreased growth when compared with the control. It was concluded that it was not necessary to clean the shells to increase harvest.