Estado actual do Ostra da areia Pintacta Imbricata, na zona norte da Ilha do Bazaruto

Abstract

The study of the current status of the sand oyster, Pintacta imbricata, was carried out between the months of October and November 2005 in the intertidal zone of the western coast of Bazaruto Island, Inhambane Province. For this purpose, the population size of the oyster was determined by direct counting using the grid method and the mean size was determined by measuring the organisms. The study also estimated the quantities of oysters collected daily from the beds and determined the size class of oyster most exploited by local communities. The study area was the sandbanks in the northern part of Bazaruto Island, Sitone. The population size of oysters in the four sandbanks of Bazaruto Island, Sitone did not show significant differences with the following values per bank, Xifonho 115000, Machulane 65625, Mutundwine 71250 and Damba 91875. The average number of oysters per square of (0.5*0.5) m2 on the beds was: Damba 6.125, Mutundwine 4.75, Machulane 4.375 and Xifonho 7.666667. The oyster density for the beds at Damba, Machulane, Mutundwine and Xifonho were: 24.5,17.5,19,30.7, respectively The average oyster size on the banks of Sitone was between 4.6-4.8 cm showing no significant differences between them. Three predominant size classes were used to group the organisms namely: large (greater than 6 cm); medium (between 4-6 cm); small (less than 4 cm). During the sampling period it was found that the quantities collected per day and per collector were 90-100 kg of shell oysters and in this quantity the most exploited size class is the medium size class, 4-6 cm in length.(TRADUÇAO NOSSA)