Produção de vieiras Nodipecten nodosus (Linnaeus, 1758) no litoral sul do Espírito Santo, Brasil

The objective of this study was to evaluate the growth and survival of Nodipecten nodosus oysters at different stocking densities on the southern coast of Espírito Santo, Brazil, from June 2019 to September 2020. The study was divided into four phases: In the first phase, three densities of pre-seed oysters (200, 400, and 600 per circular tray) were compared, with the lowest density resulting in the highest growth and survival rates. In the second phase, densities of 75, 125, and 175 oysters per lantern in Japanese lanterns were evaluated, with the density of 75 oysters per lantern (in equipment used for cultivation) showing the best growth and survival. In the third phase, densities of 20, 35, and 50 oysters per lantern were assessed, where densities of 20 and 35 oysters did not show significant differences in growth, but the 50 oyster density had higher survival rates. In the fourth phase, densities of 6, 12, and 18 oysters per lantern were tested, with the lowest density resulting in the highest growth. Morphometric measurements and survival assessments were performed every 30 days, along with the collection of environmental parameters such as salinity and temperature. Analysis of variance (Anova) and the Tukey test were used to compare the means, with a significance level of p > 0.05. The variables were considered favorable for the growth of oysters in Piúma, southern Espírito Santo.