LONG-TERM DYNAMICS OF BLUE MUSSEL (MYTILUS-EDULIS L) CULTURE SETTLEMENTS (THE WHITE SEA)

Spatial and temporal heterogeneity of growth and mortality of Mytilus edulis in cultured settlements from Kandalaksha Bay of the White Sea h ave been studied from an analysis of annual length/frequency distribut ions. It is shown that the values of annual length increment of mussel s and their elimination are a function of their initial length and pop ulation density. A model suitable for predicting annual changes in mea n length and density of mussels on artificial substrata has been const ructed on the basis of multiple regression equations. The use of the m odel in predicting yield is discussed.