A shipment method for scallop seed

A "sandwich" made of layers of sponge and plywood lids placed inside plasti c bags and packed in styrofoam coolers was evaluated as a device for shipme nt of catarina scallop (Argopecten ventricosus Sowerby II 1842) spat. Spat survival was measured to evaluate the combined effect of temperature, emers ion time, sponge thickness, spat density. shell gapping, and O-2 levels. In addition, temperature inside the coolers with different amounts of ice was measured under different external temperatures. Results indicate that scal lop seed ran successfully be shipped out of the water over long periods of time (>37 h), taking advantage of the scallop's capacity to breathe in air. Survival was greatly enhanced when a pure-O-2 atmosphere was used. Highest survival was obtained at lower temperature and at shelter emersion times. Survival was not affected by either sponge thickness or by spat density, Hi gher rates of survival occurred when shells were forced to remain tightly c losed. Mortality was attributed to a combination of O-2 shortage and desicc ation, but the possibility of a genotoxic effect of several metabolites and toxicity by nitrogenous compounds as possible causes are discussed. To mai ntain temperatures in the coolers, 50 g L-1 of ice was found to be optimum.