Assessment of an alternative Pinctada margaritifera spat collector in French Polynesia

Plastic waste in the oceans is a growing concern due to its size diversity, ubiquitous nature and impact on both marine organisms ecosystems. While threatened by this plastic litter, aquaculture industries also represent one of major sources. In French Polynesia, black-lip pearl oyster (Pinctada margaritifera) farming no exception. Wild spat collection has been described as source pollution because numerous particularly fragile brittle shade-mesh collectors used locally often mismanaged when longer usable. Thus, with aim helping reduce pollution, present study focused assessment reusable plate collector potential alternative. We tested, using an situ approach, influence collecting surface position (i.e. horizontal vs vertical), color black orange) density 25 plates 50 plates) Pinctada margaritifera maculata settlement. Our results showed that 50-plates collectors, whatever their position, were more efficient collect kinds than (P < 0.0001). They induced higher number 25-plates device although there was significant difference numbers However, every type presented decreased mean length collected 0.0001) compared collector. Furthermore, positioning greatly improved effect > 0.05). Finally, our indicated that, among all devices most margaritifera. These first findings thus tend suggest these re-usable could be alternative currently collectors.