Abstract
An assessment of natural stocks of the commercially important black pearl oyster, Pinctada margaritifera, was conducted in the lagoon of Takapoto Atoll, French Polynesia. The sampling methodology combined estimates of reef area from remote sensing, depth profiles across the lagoon, and in situ sampling using scuba. Confidence limits around estimates of mean oyster density began to stabilize after ten dives, and did not decrease further after 30. Densities of oysters increased steadily with depth, ranging from a mean of 1 per 100 m2 at 0–10 m to 8/100 m2 at 30–40 m. More than half of the stock occurred at depths greater than 30 m. The total stock was estimated to be 4.3 ± 0.67 million, equivalent to 834 metric tonnes (including shells).
Similar content being viewed by others
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Additional information
Accepted: 15 June 1999
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Zanini, J., Salvat, B. Assessment of deep water stocks of pearl oysters at Takapoto Atoll (Tuamotu Archipelago, French Polynesia). Coral Reefs 19, 83–87 (2000). https://doi.org/10.1007/s003380050231
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s003380050231