THE VISION OF LAGOONCLAMS.
James Cook University in Townsville (Queensland, Australia) could do it on Orpheus island over twenty five years ago; please visit: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VR8fAdFYUNc
There is no reason why this can not be repeated in other suitable island locations!
At the same time another research Institution the MMDC in Palau managed by G. Heslinga till 1995 also demonstrated clearly the feasibility of large scale commercial farming of Giant Clams destined to the Asian sea-food markets, you can download his ebook for iPad etc from:
http://store-au.blurb.com/ebooks/374835-saving-giants
The T.Gigas clams shown on this JCU video would be in high demand on the Chinese market, probably fetching a price of around $100.00 each. However they will need over 10 years to reach a harvest size and this is a too long period without income for any aquaculture enterprise to overcome.
However there is a feasible solution to this "conundrum" by starting first the production of T.Crocea for the Japanese market, because these clams will take only 2.5 to 3 years to reach harvestable size, a delay very similar to oysters and mussels aquaculture in temperate zones.
Part of the sales to the Japanese market can be utilized every year to also grow out some T.Gigas in protected nursery sites for close to 3 years before these can then be relocated without any protection and/or maintenance to suitable lagoon sites untill harvest 7 - 8 years later.
With the Pohnpei trials now concluded, in the next phase we are offering our expertise and innovative techniques to any private enterprise interested in starting a hatchery in any suitable location with good scores in the site selection criteria.
The appetite for giant clams in Asia can be considered as almost unlimited; Dr Murakoshi estimated the potential market on mainland Japan at 500 million clams per year @ $2.50 - $3.00 each. In China, the middle class population is now more numerous than the entire population of the U.S or Europe and their cultural traditions entice them to eat more expensive and exclusive sea-food products like giant clam adductor muscle; the Chinese market alone could consume several thousand Tons per year with a market value 10-12 years from now of close to a billion dollars, enough for dozens of farms to start producing as soon as possible.
Plus, the aquaculture of giant clams generates additional high value sea-food products such as sea-cucumbers and Trochus Shell as well!
Our services will provide you the latest practical low-tech hatchery & nursery grow-out design with hardware imported from best Chinese manufacturers and your workforce training will be included for as long as may be required. If you have the right hardware and access to clean ocean water, we are very confident to be able to multiply your production results by a factor of at least 100.
For more information please contact Phil Dor, email: lagoonclams@hotmail.com
Proposed hatchery site on Yap's West Coast.