Descripción del cultivo de mejillón Perna perna en longline (Fuerteventura, Islas Canarias).

Abstract

Significant populations of the Canarian mussel Perna perna are present only on the Island of Fuerteventura and are experimenting a se-rious decline mainly due to overfishing and a high demand on the local market. Considering the present situation of Perna perna’s stocks the local government has applied a restrictive law to forbid the capture of specimens and has promoted the experimental culture of this specie. Mussel are cultivated worldwide using the longline technique. However, design, materials and deployment are checking constant new challenge mainly in offshore conditions.We describe the first longline mussel culture located on the island of Fuerteventura at open sea and anchored in January 2008. The main problems encountered are discussed.