Availability of wild spat of the blacklip pearl oyster, Pinctada margaritifera, from 'open' reef systems in Solomon Islands

Abstract

In this paper, we report results from a 2-year sampling program to assess spatial and temporal variation in abundances of spat in Solomon Islands. In particular, we focus on the apparent characteristics of good sites for the collection of spat, the time of year when spat are most abundant, the suitability of different systems for collecting spat and the apparent effect of predation on the abundance of spat. We conclude by identifying the factors that have to be considered further before the economic viability of farming blacklip pearl oysters in the central-western Pacific can be evaluated.