Assessment of stocks of a natural Gracilaria population on Panay Island, Philippines

Abstract

Two peaks in biomass were recorded from natural beds of Gracilaria sp. at Leganes, Iloilo and Batan, Aklan study sites. The major peak occurred in February 1989 for both areas. The minor peak occurred in September 1988 at Batan and October 1988 at Leganes. Highest biomass at Ivisan, Capiz occurred in May 1988. Lowest biomass was recorded in June at Batan and December 1988 at Leganes. At Ivisan, no biomass was recorded from November 1988 to February 1989. Correlation analysis showed no relationship between biomass and temperature or pH at all study sites. However, salinity was negatively correlated with biomass at Leganes and Batan. Rainfall was inversely correlated with biomass. Based on salinity data gathered from the three study sites, Gracilaria sp. is euryhaline and can tolerate a wide range of salinity. The results show a marked seasonality in the biomass of Gracilaria sp.