Growth of Gracilaria pacifica (Rhodophyta) in the Punta Banda Estuary, Baja California, Mexico

From October 1987 to April 1989 four methods were tested to assess growth rate of increment percentage of weight x day super(-1)) on Gracilaria pacifica, from the Estero of Punta Banda, Baja California, Mexico. Only one method gave satisfactory results. This method consisted in using G. pacifica fragments of initial wet weight between 6.0 and 6.5 g, attached to ropes placed on the substrate in the intertidal zone. A seasonal growth pattern was demonstrated, with a maximal mean growth rate of 13.65% x day super(-1) in June (summer), and minimal of 1.89% x day super(-1) in December (winter). By March and April, the lowest surviving percentage were showed 56.2 and 0.0%, respectively. Mortality of G. pacifica occurred mainly due to sediment burial. Seven species of epiphytic algae on G. pacifica were identified, being Enteroporpha clathrata and Polysiphonia mollis frequent in late autumn.