Postharvest recovery of beds of the edible red alga Porphyra perforata
Recovery of intertidal Porphyra beds following hand harvest was studied near the northwest tip of the Queen Charlotte Islands, B.C. Twenty-six percent of the standing crop of Porphyra perforata J. Ag. was removed in a large plot in June 1981; no negative effect on standing crop was apparent in May 1982 as compared with the adjacent control area. There was no negative impact on percent cover of Porphyra (mostly P. perforata) within 1 year after hand harvest of seven, approximately 1-m2 plots, as compared with respective controls. Annual fluctuation in cover, biomass, and relative mix of Porphyra species was large. Porphyra cover in a small plot harvested in early June 1981 increased to 86% of the June value by mid-July 1981, indicating substantial growth of the remaining thallus fragments and small, whole plants within one season. It was concluded that sustained yield of Porphyra beds can be assured if harvest is restricted to gathering by hand.