Microbiological Studies Relevant to a Lobster Introduction into Fatty Basin, British Columbia

Abstract

Studies in marine microbiology relevant to the cultivation of lobster in Fatty Basin were made.
Biomass of bacteria and allied microorganisms in whole seawater column of the basin was very small (2×10⁴gC), but a large biomass was found in the sediments (3×105gC).
The decomposition of chitin occurred chiefly in the sediments. The rate of decomposition (500 g/day) was approximately half of the rate of production. However, the remaining production was considered not to be involved in the chitin cycle of the basin. This hypothesis was supported by the results of the analysis of the budget of organic matter in the area.
Shell disease of lobster caused by chitinoclastic bacteria was detected, although it was not serious. A destructive yeast parasite of crustaceans, Metschnikowia, was collected only from a crab in the basin.