MOL 16
McCOY, E.W. and T. CHONGPEEPIEN
Bivalve mollusc culture research in Thailand.
1988 170 pp
ICLARM Technical Reports, 19
Bivalve molluscs feed low in the food chain and are an attractive source of protein-rich products for human consumption. Most bivalve culture operations, however, depend upon collection of seed from the natural environment and many are adversely affected from time to time by pollution and environmental fluctuations. Therefore, bivalve culture is usually a form of extensive aquaculture in which little or not control is possible over broodstock management, hatchery/nursery procedures and feeding. Moreover, the public health aspects of bivalve consumption and the need to ensure adequate financial returns to bivalve culturists are important considerations. Against a background of seemingly high potential for bivalve culture and the complex biological, economic and social issues that affect its development, ICLARM was asked to assist the Department of Fisheries of Thailand in efforts to develop coastal aquaculture, with a special focus on bivalve culture. In Southeast Asia, Thailand has an unrivalled diversity of coastal aquaculture and fisheries practices that produce a vast range of marine products for human consumption. The objective of this technical assistance project was to explore new biological and socioeconomic perspectives on bivalve mollusc culture to increase production and to improve the livelihood of farmers. This required an interdisciplinary approach concerned as much with profit margins, product handling and the socioeconomic conditions of producers and others involved in the industry as with biological and ecological factors. This technical report contains results of some of the studies performed and describes all the other outputs of the project. It is offered as an example of the progress that can be achieved through such interagency partnerships in aquaculture research and development.
MOL 17
GLUDE, J.B.
The applicability of recent innovations to mollusc culture in the
Western Pacific Islands.
1984 14 pp
Aquaculture, 39, 29–43
Mollusc culture in the Pacific Islands requires careful site selection. Most tropical waters are low in nutrients that there is insufficient phytoplankton to support profitable mollusc farming. The higher islands of volcanic origin, however, may have bays or estuaries that receive enough nutrients form land runoff to promote adequate growth of phytoplankton. An alternative source of natural nutrients is the deep oceanic waters which are high in nitrates and phosphates. In places where deep water occurs close to shore, artificial upwelling systems with low energy pumps could be used to bring nutrient-rich waters to the surface and thereby stimulate production of phytoplankton. Species selection is also extremely important. Some species of oysters and clams are specially adapted for growth and reproduction in nutrient-poor waters. These species may obtain their nutrition from symbiotic algae, sulfate-based bacteria, or by feeding on detritus. Recent discoveries concerning the role of bacteria in the nutrition of deep water molluscs in areas of normal upwelling may find application in developing the culture of Lucinid clams in shallow water mangrove areas. Recent experience with various species transplanted from temperate waters has provided a better basis for selection of oysters for aquaculture in tropical waters. For example, research by Roger Mann and others has provided new knowledge regarding carbohydrate and protein metabolism in relation to reproduction. This knowledge helps to explain the lack of success of Crassostrea gigas in tropical environments. Various aquaculture systems used successfully in other areas may be applicable in the Pacific Islands. These include the use of improved materials, culture methods, and processing or marketing procedures.
MOL 18
JUNTARASHOTE, K., BAHROMTANARAT, S. and H. GRIZEL
Shellfish culture in Southeast Asia.
1987 72 pp
Southeast Asia Fisheries Development Center, November 1987
Shellfish culture has been practised in Southeast Asian countries for more than a century. Early records in Thailand indicate that mussel culture started in coastal waters off Petchaburi as early as the 1860s, followed by cockle culture in 1887 and oyster culture around 1949. The total production of shellfish in Thailand increased steadily to a peak of nearly 300 thousand metric tons in 1971 and declined afterward. Total regional shellfish production has also declined from 165,527 metric tons in 1978 to 143,692 metric tons in 1984. In recognition of the growing interest in shellfish culture development in the region, a number of studies, technical meetings and study tours have been conducted by international organizations and agencies. With a view to assisting the Southeast Asian countries in the promotion and development of shellfish culture, a study tour on shellfish culture in France was organized in September 1985. As a follow-up to the recommendations made by the participants during the study tour, a Regional Survey on Shellfish Culture in Southeast Asia was jointly organized, in June 1986, by SEAFDEC and IFREMER, in collaboration with ESCAP, in order to assess the present status of shellfish culture as well as to identify the technical assistance requirements of the five countries of Southeast Asia participating in the survey. The survey team visited the five countries participating in the survey, i.e., Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore and Thailand.
MOL 19
ADDISON, R.F. and J.E. STEWART
Domoic acid and the Eastern Canadian molluscan shellfish industry.
1989 7 pp
Aquaculture, 77, 263–269
This report summarizes the events surrounding the food poisoning associated with the occurrence of domoic acid in mussels (Mytilus edulis) from Cardigan Bay, Prince Edward Island, in the fall of 1987. A possible chain of events leading to domoic acid accumulation in mussels is suggested; the epidemiology of domoic acid poisoning is reviewed briefly and its toxicology is discussed. The implications of the incident for the mollusc fishery in general are discussed since these may prove useful to managers of molluscan shellfish producing areas which have not had experience with the toxin. Although an intensive monitoring and inspection programme will allow adequate consumer and producer protection, successful long-term management of the fishery demands a better understanding of the synthesis, distribution and fate of domoic acid, and of molluscan toxins in general.
MOL 20
HEYMAN, W.D., DOBBERTEEN, R.A., URRY, L.A. and A.M. HEYMAN
Pilot hatchery for the queen conch, Strombus gigas, shows
potential for inexpensive and appropriate technology for larval
aquaculture in the Bahamas.
1989 9 pp
Aquaculture, 77, 277–285
To restore conch fishery resources in the Caribbean, the establishment of both large production-scale hatcheries that produce animals for export markets and small-scale facilities aimed at reseeding local areas with juveniles is necessary. Up to now little effort has been devoted to the latter. A pilot hatchery was developed, with commonly available resources, which produced about 5000 nearly competent larvae of Strombus gigas at an average shell length of 930 um after 30 days. Results of the pilot hatchery project showed that the underlying approach is promising and should be developed further.
