Carrying capacity of shellfish culture in Weitou Bay of Fujian

The investigation and determination was carried out on the related model parameters of Weitou Bay of Fujian including chlorophyll-a, primary production, stock of wild filter feeder in subtidal and intertidal zones, and suspension culture area, organic carbon content in cultured shellfish and the weight ratio of whole shellfish and fresh tissue. Organic carbon content in plankton, filtration rate of cultured shellfish in Dadeng sea area and ecology effects of Shenhu Bay nearby were consulted. Nutrient Dynamic Model and Coastal Waters′ Energy Flow Analysis Model were used to estimate ecological capacity of shellfish in this area, from which, the stock of wild filter feeder was deducted for estimate shellfish culture capacity. Fang Jianguang′s model was also used to estimate shellfish culture capacity. Statistic analysis was used to estimate suitable culture area of each shellfish species, aiming at limiting local shellfish culture and optimizing the culture of various shellfish species. According to estimation of the three models, the shellfish carrying capacity in this area should be 111 720 t, 508 246 10⁴, 112 072 t, 509 849 10⁴ and 114 504 t, 520 789 10⁴ , respectively, averaging 112 765 t, 512 991 individuals. The suitable culture area of shellfish in total was 3 905 hm², among which oyster was 2 956 hm², Sinonovacula constricta 359 hm², Ruditapes philipinarum 489 hm², Perna viridisl 11 hm², Musculus senhousei 90 hm². The actual culture area of shellfish in 1999 was 1 894 hm². There is still 2 011 hm² to be exploited.