46. The participants recognized the need to expand bivalve culture to increase production output. The difficulty in obtaining natural spat, particularly in some Southeast Asian countries, led to a number of recommendations.
Need for training and/or expertise in bivalve hatchery and nursery techniques.
Need for monitoring programmes to determine the occurrence, level and consistency of natural spatfall of commercialyl important bivalve species.
Undertake research on bivalve genetics aimed of improving local species or adopting known culture species of non-endemic origin.
47. The participants expressed the need to introduce alternative mollusc species in their existing seafarming industry, such as abalone, scallop, cockle and pearl oysters. The workshop noted that environmental degradation has led to the loss of coastal areas for shellfish farming.
48. In addition, it was noted that unregulated mollusc and other seafarming activities may lead to adverse environmental impact, therefore the importance of coastal zone management and the need for rules and regulations in the seafarming industry were underlined.
49. With respect to the preceding two points, it was suggested that the above activities be implemented under the Regional Seafarming Development and Demonstration Project as a combination of its existing programme.
50. The need was felt to carry out research on mollusc diseases as well as on other areas.
51. The workshop confirmed the needs to conduct research in other areas as indicated in paragraph 46.
