New Zealand Journal of Marine and Freshwater Research abstracts

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Aquaculture trials of the New Zealand bath-sponge Spongia (Heterofibria) manipulatus using lanterns

Michelle Kelly

National Centre for Aquatic Biodiversity and Biosecurity
National Institute of Water and Atmospheric
Research Limited
Private Bag 109 695, Newmarket
Auckland, New Zealand
email: m.kelly@niwa.co.nz

Sean Handley
Mike Page

National Institute of Water and Atmospheric
Research Limited
P.O. Box 893
Nelson, New Zealand

Paul Butterfield

Pacific Aquaculture New Zealand Limited
Private Bag 558
Whangaparaoa, New Zealand

Bruce Hartill
Shane Kelly*

National Institute of Water and Atmospheric
Research Limited
Private Bag 109 695, Newmarket
Auckland, New Zealand

*Present address: Auckland Regional Council, Private Bag 92 012, Auckland, New Zealand.

Abstract  A submarine lantern system was trailed in the aquaculture of explants of the endemic New Zealand bath-sponge Spongia (Heterofibria) manipulatus (Demospongiae: Dictyoceratida: Spongiidae) at four New Zealand sites, two in the Marlborough Sounds and two off Coromandel Peninsula. The main objectives were to compare growth rates of explants at different sites, compare these with those of control sponges, and to assess the utility of these lanterns for the culture of this species. After a period of 13 months, sponges at exposed Bonne Point in the Marlborough Sounds were on average 73% larger in estimated volume than at the start of the experiments. Growth rates of explants at exposed Port Charles, Coromandel, showed no significant change over the study period, although positive growth over spring 2003 was evident. Sponge explants at sheltered Wairangi Inlet and Kennedy Bay, in the Marlborough Sounds and Coromandel, respectively, did poorly, with most explants regressing in size and becoming moribund. Growth rates varied considerably between individuals at each location. Implications of the growth rate characteristics of S. (H.) manipulatus, and the design and construction of the aquaculture lantern, for the future commercial production of this species are discussed.

Keywords  Porifera; Dictyoceratida; Spongiidae; Spongia; bath-sponge; aquaculture; lantern; growth-rate; New Zealand

M03049; Received 25 August 2003; accepted 16 January 2004; Online publication date 8 June 2004
New Zealand Journal of Marine and Freshwater Research, 2004, Vol. 38: 231-241
0028-8330/04/3802-0231 © The Royal Society of New Zealand 2004

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