Original scientific paper

DISTRIBUTION AND POPULATION STRUCTURE OF Arca noae IN THE PAŠMAN CHANNEL

Melita Peharda ; Institute of Oceanography and Fisheries, Šetalište Ivana Meštrovića 63, 21000 Split, Croatia
Nika Stagličić ; Institute of Oceanography and Fisheries, Šetalište Ivana Meštrovića 63, 21000 Split, Croatia
Daria Ezgeta ; Institute of Oceanography and Fisheries, Šetalište Ivana Meštrovića 63, 21000 Split, Croatia
Nedo Vrgoč ; Institute of Oceanography and Fisheries, Šetalište Ivana Meštrovića 63, 21000 Split, Croatia
Igor Isajlović ; Institute of Oceanography and Fisheries, Šetalište Ivana Meštrovića 63, 21000 Split, Croatia
Svjetlana Krstulović–Šifner ; Institute of Oceanography and Fisheries, Šetalište Ivana Meštrovića 63, 21000 Split, Croatia

Abstract

Noah’s Ark shell Arca noae is an edible bivalve that is commercially exploited in the eastern Adriatic and is harvested primarily by SCUBA divers. There are no reliable data catch statistics data for this species nor there any data on distribution and population biology of exploited stocks, all of which are crucial for establishing sustainable level of exploitation. The objective of this research was to determine distribution and population structure of A. noae in one of the harvesting area — Pašman channel. Study was conducted in May 2008 using SCUBA visual census method at six transects. Although there are no previous data on distribution of A. noae in this area, low population density, length frequency distribution with domination of individuals smaller than 5 cm and sex ratio analysis all indicate that present level of harvesting is unsustainable.

Keywords

Adriatic Sea; Arca noae; Pašman channel; population structure

Hrčak ID:

35830

URI

https://hrcak.srce.hr/35830

Publication date:

31.3.2009.

Article data in other languages: croatian

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