FARMING GIANT CLAMS FOR SEA-FOOD.
T.Gigas on reef-flat at Orpheus island 20 years later.
There are 2 species of large giant clams, T.Gigas & T.Derasa (60 – 120cm) and 2 species of smaller giant clams, T.Squamosa & T.Crocea (15 – 35cm) suitable to be farmed for the sea-food industry.
The adductor muscle of the larger clams was considered a great delicacy in Taiwan decades ago and most clams of these species were poached by fishermen almost to extinction in several parts of their natural range.
Because of this alarming situation some research programs were initiated in Australia & Palau in the eighties and nineties to save the species by artificial propagation (aquaculture). James Cook University (Townsville-Australia), MMDC in Palau & Reefarm (Cairns-Australia) were initially successful at producing good numbers of giant clams.
Their intensive farming techniques were later transferred to several hatcheries (25) in the Pacific region but it seems that these are only able to supply the demand of clams for the AQUARIUM industry, or about 200.000 + units/year in the United States and Europe.
The demand of the Sea-food industry for T.Crocea/Squamosa in Japan and for T.Gigas/Derasa/ in China is completely unfulfilled despite the opportunity that many Indo- Pacific islands would have to enter this lucrative business.
Phil Dor @ LAGOONCLAMS has developed a special "proprietary" farming technique for giant clams which will allow the production of the very large numbers needed by the seafood industry in Asia. Juvenile clams will be farmed on specially designed submerged floating long-lines structures for about 3 years, after which the smaller species will be harvested for sale to Japan and the larger species will be relocated without protection or maintenance to in-shore lagoons for 7-8 year before harvest and sale to China, Taiwan & Korea.
Giant clams DO NOT need additional feeding during their live cycle, making this aquaculture one of the most sustainable and environment friendly agri-business in the world, on an equal foot to forestry!
The adductor muscle of the larger clams was considered a great delicacy in Taiwan decades ago and most clams of these species were poached by fishermen almost to extinction in several parts of their natural range.
Because of this alarming situation some research programs were initiated in Australia & Palau in the eighties and nineties to save the species by artificial propagation (aquaculture). James Cook University (Townsville-Australia), MMDC in Palau & Reefarm (Cairns-Australia) were initially successful at producing good numbers of giant clams.
Their intensive farming techniques were later transferred to several hatcheries (25) in the Pacific region but it seems that these are only able to supply the demand of clams for the AQUARIUM industry, or about 200.000 + units/year in the United States and Europe.
The demand of the Sea-food industry for T.Crocea/Squamosa in Japan and for T.Gigas/Derasa/ in China is completely unfulfilled despite the opportunity that many Indo- Pacific islands would have to enter this lucrative business.
Phil Dor @ LAGOONCLAMS has developed a special "proprietary" farming technique for giant clams which will allow the production of the very large numbers needed by the seafood industry in Asia. Juvenile clams will be farmed on specially designed submerged floating long-lines structures for about 3 years, after which the smaller species will be harvested for sale to Japan and the larger species will be relocated without protection or maintenance to in-shore lagoons for 7-8 year before harvest and sale to China, Taiwan & Korea.
Giant clams DO NOT need additional feeding during their live cycle, making this aquaculture one of the most sustainable and environment friendly agri-business in the world, on an equal foot to forestry!
Indo Pacific Giant Clams natural ranges.