An investigation of the feasibility of gooseneck barnacle mariculture (Lepas anatifera)

Gooseneck barnacles (Pollicipes cornucopia) exceeding 4 cm in length are a favourite seafood in Spain. In 1978 the British Columbia seafood industry introduced the indigenous species Pollicipes polymerus into this potentially lucrative market. Due to the problems associated with this species its export was unsuccessful. Alternatively, to fill either the void left by Pollicipes pollymerus and/or future markets, the acquisition of seed and the subsequent suspended culture of the gooseneck barnacle, Lepas anatifera, were investigated. Lepas anatifera successfully colonized the cultch (oyster shells, wooden dowelling and rubber) that was deployed at two locations off the west coast of Vancouver Island. The success of the colonization of cultch and the information obtained from a previous survey suggested that the set occurs regularly between the middle of April and the end of May off the west coast of Vancouver Island. The suspended culture of Lepas anatifera indicated that growth may be site specific and that areas of a high phytoplankton/zooplankton ratio may be detrimental to growth and time to sexual maturation. At the densities studied, survival seems to be proportional to density. Capitulum growth and weight gain were significantly greater for Lepas anatifera protected from predation within lantern nets than for those grown exposed on lines of oyster shells and wooden doweling. The average total length (capitulum plus peduncle) exceeded 4cm within 17 to 23 weeks.Land and Food Systems, Faculty ofGraduat