Сomparative characteristics of indicesto assess the quality of mussel production by an example of cultivated mytilus galloprovincialis (Сrimea, the Вlack sea)

Abstract

Some indices (the condition index, the state index, the condition factor, the meat yield index and gonadosomatic index) were tested and compared to estimate the degree of shell filling with meat for cultivated M. galloprovincialis from (Crimea). The peaks of values of the the state index, the condition factor and the meat yield index had noted in September (150±8.8%, 3.6±0.2%, 35.8±2.2%, respectively). All the indices can be used as indicators of quality of mussel production. If using gonadosomatic index to defend optimal harvest time for M. galloprovincialis cultivated it is shown that mollusks reaches commercial quality at gonadosomatic index >8.5. The meat yield index has been proposed as easy and handy for assessing the degree of shell filling with meat. Mussels acquire optimal commercial quality if the meat yield index is more than 20%. It has been shown the total weight of ten mussels it is enough for convenient determination of the meat yield index. Harvesting time depends on environmental factors and marine farm location. It is rational to collect M. galloprovincialis all year round, except for December and March at the north of the Black Sea (Crimea).