Primary production and hydrographic measurements were taken at three different points at a bight (Lat. 23º30'S; Long. 45º06'W) during the winter and summer (1975-76). Some photosynthetic characteristics of the natural populations were also simulated in laboratory experiments. The relation between primary production and the environmental parameters, as well as with the different values of C: chlorophyll obtained, showed that the region is oligotrophic. However the cell size composition of phytoplarikton may promove a maximum uptake of nutrients and improve the cellular reproduction. High values found for Ik showed that the population is adapted to high intensities as long as no physical barrier is established. Besides the ecological aspects presented the results allow us to suggest the viability of growing filter-feeding organisms as an option for marine culture.