Journal of Tropical Oceanography ›› 2014, Vol. 33 ›› Issue (2): 87-93.doi: 10.11978/j.issn.1009-5470.2014.02.012cstr: 32234.14.j.issn.1009-5470.2014.02.012

• Marine Biology • Previous Articles     Next Articles

Giant clam research and prospect of aquaculture in the South China Sea

ZHOU Qin, WANG Yu-fen, JIANG Xiu-feng   

  1. China Academy of Fishery Sciences, Beidaihe Station, Beidaihe 066100, China
  • Received:2012-12-24 Revised:2013-05-24 Online:2014-04-02 Published:2014-04-02
  • Contact: 中国水产科学研究院基本科研业务费资助项目(2013A0505)

Abstract: Giant clams are of the family Tridacnidae with 10 living species in only two genera, Tridacna and Hippopus. In the 1980s and 1990s, the Pacific Rim countries, including Australia, the Philippines and the U.S., conducted a series of joint research on the cultivation of giant clams and the relevant physiological, ecological and economic factors. The unique feature of giant clams among bivalve molluscs is their symbiotic relationship with dinoflagellate algae, zooxanthellae (Symbiodinium. sp); this gives them a nutritional and growth advantage over normal bivalve molluscs. Since the stocking of giant clams can reach 400 tonnes per hectare, giant clams have great significance to both mariculture sector and tropical coral reef ecosystem. Moreover, due to benefits to coral reef restoration and carbon sink fisheries, the growth of giant clams also has a significance for marine development and protection. Meantime The South China Sea has 3000 km2 tropical reef water, which is suitable for developing mariculture. We suggest that giant clams cultivation have the potential to become a principle sector of tropical mariculture that could facilitates the protection of coral reefs as well as the recovery and conservation of the South China Sea ecosystem.

Key words: giant clam, aquaculture and enhancement, South China Sea, coral reef protection, carbon sink fisheries

CLC Number: 

  • P735